WHO declared India polio-free in 2014 after three years of no wild poliovirus transmission, robust surveillance, and vaccine stock management.
Key initiatives include National Immunization Days, introduction of Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV), and Mission Indradhanush targeting 90% immunization.
Border vaccinations continue to prevent re-importation from endemic regions like Pakistan and Afghanistan.
India-Italy Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029
Both countries agreed to intensify cooperation in defense, energy, and technology sectors, such as Indo-Italian Innovation Exchange and Defense Industrial Roadmap.
Economic focus on green technologies, pharmaceuticals, and connectivity through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
Defense cooperation to include annual Joint Defence Consultative meetings and joint staff talks for better coordination.
G20 Rio de Janeiro Declaration: A Blueprint for Global Action
Key focus areas are social inclusion, with Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty being launched, targeting 500 million people by 2030.
Sustainable Development Goals the establishment of Task Force for Climate Action and mobilization of private capital for developing nations.
The declaration supported reforms in global governance-the UN Security Council and MDBs.
UNFCCC COP29: Methane and Agrifood Initiatives
Launched the Declaration Reducing Methane from Organic Waste to address methane reduction in organic waste, the third major source of methane.
Baku Harmoniya Climate Initiative supports transformation of agrifood systems by empowering farmers, mainly women, and youth.
Agrifood partnerships and sustainable development programs support the integration of India with international climate goals.
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Notified as India’s 56th Tiger Reserve
Located in Chhattisgarh, the reserve stretches across the Chota Nagpur and Baghelkhand plateaus, housing varied fauna such as leopards and sloth bears.
It follows a landscape conservation approach, with wildlife corridors, while ensuring that community involvement would be maintained under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Strengthens India’s tiger conservation, through its corridors with reserves in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
India-Australia Annual Summit: Strengthening Strategic Ties
Renewed the Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX) program to foster market insights and partnerships.
Launched the India-Australia Renewable Energy Partnership (REP) with a focus on green hydrogen, solar PV, and energy storage technologies.
The summit resonates with increased trade, technology, and energy transition cooperation between the two countries.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Statistical Yearbook 2024
Agriculture accounts for 26 percent of global employment; workforce decline to 40 percent from 2000, agriculture also contributes 4% to the global GDP.
India tops in agricultural workforce (226 million) with growing female engagement from 32.2% in 2000 to 36% in 2022
Global hunger impacted 9.1% of the population in 2023, surpassing the pre-pandemic levels, and calls for strong food security efforts.
Key Terms and Concepts
Mission Indradhanush: A flagship program that ensures 90 percent immunization coverage against preventable diseases.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC): An economic initiative meant to expand global connectivity in terms of trade.
Task Force for Climate Action – An international initiative under G20 to break the barriers in climate finance, especially for the developing world.
Baku Harmoniya Initiative – A program launched by the UN that focuses on the enablement of vulnerable communities through agrifood systems
FAO Yearbook – All-inclusive statistics for policymakers concerning agricultural goods and services in national and global economies.
