Mizoram Tops List CONTENTS S. No. Chapter Name Page No. 1. United Nations 75th Anniversary 1-2 2. International and Bilateral 3-4 3. National 5-9 4. States 10-11 5. Economy and Banking 12-16 6. RBI Updates 17-18 7. Schemes 19-20 8. Cabinet Approvals 21 9. Science and Technology 22-23 10. Defence 24-25 11 Bills And Acts 26-28 12. Awards and Honours 29-31 13. Sports 32-33 14. Persons In News 34 15. Obituaries 35-36 16. Reports, Indices and Ranking 37-38 17. Committees 39 18. Summits and Conferences 40 19. Appointments 41 20. Days And Themes 42 21. Books and Authors 43 22. Brand Ambassadors 43 23. Practice Bits (Current Affairs) 44-55 Current Affairs October 2020– Digest 1. UNITED NATIONS 75TH ANNIVERSARY On September 21, 2020 a “Declaration on the New York and under the Presidency of Volkan Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Bozkir of Turkey. United Nations” was adopted at the high level For this session the world leaders submitted pre- meeting for strengthening mechanism to combat recorded video statements which were played in the terrorism, reformed multilateralism, inclusive General Assembly Hall during the general debate development and better preparedness to deal with held from Sept 22-29 at the beginning of each session of the General Assembly. challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of From India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declaration the 193 member nations commit to leave addressed the high-level meeting to mark the 75th no one behind, protect the planet, promote peace and anniversary of the UN on September 22 and the prevent conflicts, abide by international law and general debate on September 26 through the pre- ensure justice, place women and girls at the centre, recorded video statements. These statements were build trust, improve digital cooperation, upgrade the presented by Permanent Representative of India to UN, ensure sustainable financing, boost partnerships, the UN,TS Tirumurti. listen to and work with youth. The event was held Key points from PM Modi Address under the theme “The Future We Want, the UN We India is elected as a non-permanent member for the Need: Reaffirming our Collective Commitment to UN Security Council (UNSC) for a two-year term Multilateralism” beginning January 1, 2021. India‟s overall objective During the session, The 75th United Nations during its tenure will be the achievement of General Assembly (UNGA 75) was held virtually N.O.R.M.S – a New Orientation for a Reformed from September 15 to September 30, 2020. It was Multilateral System. hosted by the United States of America (USA) from 1 IACE (Indian Academy of Competitive Exams) www.iace.co.in Toll Free: 1800-270-9975, Ph: 9533200400 Current Affairs October 2020– Digest India is a founding signatory of the UN Charter. Rise of fora like G4 (India, Brazil, Germany, and India‟s vaccine production and delivery capacity Japan) as important economies and emerging world will be used to help all humanity in fighting powers are pushing after quick UN Security COVID-19 pandamic crisis. Council reforms. India endorsed US‟ Joint Statement Multilateralism: International relations today are A joint statement was issued by US on “Universal characterized by the power relationships of the Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)” stating its United States, China, Russia, India and Europe.A „re-dedication‟. This move is endorsed by India new model of the UN must be formulated, as along with Bahrain, Brazil, the Democratic current world order has changed from bipolar to Republic of Congo, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Japan, unipolar to multi polar today. Jordan, the Maldives, Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Democratisation of UN: Developing countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE). India are proposing reforms that seek to G4 Foreign Ministers Meeting held virtually; democratize the UN, such as UNSC reforms, UN Demanded urgency in UNSC reforms peacekeeping reforms. The foreign ministers of the G4 countries (Group of Financial Reforms: This holds the key to the future Four) comprising India, Japan, Germany and Brazil of the UN. Without sufficient resources, the UN's hold a virtual meeting during UN75 session. The activities and role would suffer. grouping demanded urgent reform of the UN About 75th United Nations Day Security Council (UNSC) while expressing their The United Nations (UN) will celebrate its 75th concern at the lack of any meaningful movement in anniversary on 24 October 2020. the Intergovernmental Negotiations (IGN) on To mark its 75th anniversary in 2020, the UN is Security Council reform. igniting a people‟s debate: UN75. The meeting was attended by Union External Through UN75, the UN will encourage people to Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar from put their opinions together to define how enhanced India, Brazilian Foreign Minister Ernesto Araujo, international cooperation can help realize a better Japan‟s Motegi Toshimitsu and Minister of State at world by 2045. German Foreign Office Niels Annen. Each year on 24th October, the UN celebrates its Need for reforms in United Nations anniversary. UN Day marks the anniversary of the Security Council Reforms: In UNSC, the permanent entry into force of the UN Charter and the founding member countries (P5) have made the UN defunct of the Organization in 1945. in maintaining peace and order. Therefore, veto The United Nations was born out of the horrors of powers of P5 and composition of UNSC must be World War II. At the time of its foundation, it was made more representative of the current world primarily tasked with the goal of maintaining world order. The P5 countries include China, France, peace and saving future generations from the evils Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. of war. The power of veto is frequently cited as a major The name "United Nations" was coined by United problem as the P5 members often influence the States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. resolutions making those countries to suffer, which The first meeting of the General Assembly took rather need a platform to grow. place on January 10, 1946. Thus, a new category of “semi-permanent” seats is The four main goals of the UN intriguing as, if properly structured, could ensure • Maintaining international peace and security, legitimacy without preventing flexibility for a • Developing friendly relations among nations, changing world. • Achieving international cooperation in solving The regions like far East Asia, South America, international problems and Africa have no representation in the permanent • Being at the center for harmonising the actions of membership of the council. nations in the attainment of these common ends. 2 IACE (Indian Academy of Competitive Exams) www.iace.co.in Toll Free: 1800-270-9975, Ph: 9533200400 Current Affairs October 2020– Digest 2. INTERNATIONAL AND BILATERAL New Zealand becomes first country to India and Israel to co-develop hi-tech mandate climate risk disclosures weapon systems New Zealand has become the first country to pass The strategic partnership of India-Israel is legislation requiring financial entities to declare expanding in various sectors including defence. their climate-related risks. Earlier Israeli companies like Rafael Advanced Financial entities in New Zealand will have to Defense Systems, Elbit and Elta Systems have comply with the framework laid down by the Task also formed seven joint ventures with Indian Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures companies. (TCFD). Now these two countries are taking further steps The rule will apply to banks, insurers, all listed debt to strengthen their defence partnership for co- and equity issuers. developing and co- production projects of high- In this regard, New Zealand is the first country to tech weapon systems and exporting them to other mandate its financial entities to mandate climate friendly countries. risk disclosures In this regard, on September 26, 2020, a new sub • New Zealand Capital: Wellington working group (SWG)was setup to promote such • Prime Minister: Jacinda Kate Laurell Arder joint projects The SWG will be headed by Sanjay Jaju, joint Donald Trump announced Wilmington as secretary (defence industries production) in the the First World War II Heritage City Indian defence ministry and Eyal Calif, director Donald Trump, President of the USA has Asia & Pacific from the Israeli one. announced Wilmington (located in southern US •Israel Capital: Jerusalem •Currency: Israeli Shekel state North Carolina) as the first World War II • Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu Heritage City. Nepal and India begin joint security patrol The announcement was made at a ceremony held to along border in Kapilvastu district mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War The Security forces of Nepal and India have started II. Sept. 2, 2020 marks the 75th commemoration of a joint security patrol at the Nepal-India border in the end of World War II. Kapilvastu district, Nepal. During the war, Wilmington was the site of the The patrol has been started with a motive to control North Carolina Shipbuilding Company, which built the spread of COVID-19 and keep in check the 243 ships in five years as part of the federal illegal cross-border activities at the Nepal-India government‟s emergency shipbuilding program. border. India, Denmark sign MoU to increase The Krishnanagar Municipality of the Kapilvastu cooperation in intellectual property rights district is a major point of transit along the Nepal- India and Denmark signed a Memorandum of India border. Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in Nepal Police, Armed Police Force of Nepal and the area of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) Seema Suraksha Bal of India began the patrol on through exchange of best practices and borders on 19th September, 2020. collaborating in training programmes. Apart from this India and Nepal jointly launched a The main aim of the MoU is to increase cooperation website (www.goicbrinepal.com) for all in development of automation and implementation information related to education projects under of modernisation projects, new documentation and Government of India assisted post-earthquake information systems in IP.