BRICS

• Formed in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, with South Africa joining in 2010.
• New Members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Combined population of about 3.5 billion people (45% of the world's population).
• About 28% of the global economy.
• Producing about 44% of the world's crude oil.
• Russia's BRICS Chairmanship in 2024.
• BRICS summit 2024: Russia.

G-33

• 47 developing countries.
• Call for permanent public stock holding solution for food security.
• Focus: Agricultural protection in WTO.

COP 28

• Held in Dubai.
• Aims: Limit warming to 1.5°C, net-zero by 2050.
• Next: Baku 2024.

EU adopts first law tackling violence against women

• This is the first law in the European Union to protect women from gender-based violence.
• It will come into force in 27 EU countries.

The European Parliament adopts the world’s first comprehensive artificial intelligence (AI) law

• Objective: Protect EU citizens' rights and promote AI investment and innovation in Europe.

India hosted the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting

• ATCM-46 & CEP-26: Hosted in Kochi, Kerala.
• Antarctic Research Station: Maitri-II announced by Minister Kiren Rijiju.
• Theme: "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" (The World is One Family).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced an online platform called MeDevIS

• MeDevIS Platform: World's first central hub for medical device information.
• Objective: Assist in medical device selection, procurement, and use; simplify device naming via EMDN and GMDN systems.

16th BRICS Summit (2024)

• Date: October 22-24, 2024.
• Venue: Kazan, Russia.
• Theme: "Strengthening Multilateralism for Fair Global Development and Security."
• Key Points:
  • Host: Russia (President Vladimir Putin).
  • BRICS Plus: 13 non-member countries participated.
  • Outcomes:
    • BRICS Pay: Introduction of a new payment system, acting as an alternative to SWIFT.
    • Kazan Declaration: Support for reforms in the UN and the Security Council.
• Special: 17th BRICS Summit (2025) will be hosted by Brazil.

G20 Summit 2024

• Edition: 19th.
• Venue: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Museum of Modern Art).
• Theme: "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet."
• Key Facts:
  • First G20 Summit hosted in Brazil.
  • First full G20 Summit with African Union as a permanent member.
  • African Union joined G20 at the 18th G20 Summit (New Delhi, India, 2023).

Armenia Joins International Solar Alliance (ISA)

• Armenia's Membership: 104th full member of ISA.
• ISA Formation: Established on November 30, 2015, by PM Narendra Modi and former French President François Hollande during COP-21.