October 2020 International Affairs

Sakshi Education

World Development Information Day observed on 24 October
World Development Information Day is observed on October 24 annually to draw the attention of the world to development problems & necessity of strengthening international cooperation to solve them.

Background:
The Conference of UN on Trade and Development had proposed measures for information dissemination and mobilization of public opinion relative to trade and development problems on May 17, 1972.

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed the resolution in 1972 and instituted World Development Information Day on October 24.

The United Nations General Assembly decided that date for the day should coincide in principle with 24 October, which was also the date of adoption of International Development Strategy for Second United Nations Development Decade in 1970.

The need for the day is to improve the dissemination of information and mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people. This will lead to greater awareness of problems of development, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development.
International Snow Leopard Day is observed on 23 October
Every year, the International Snow Leopard Day is celebrated on October 23 to raise awareness on protection of snow leopards which are endangered. They are found in the high mountains of Asia.

Background
International Snow Leopard Day came into being on October 23, 2013, when political leaders from 12 countries came together for the first time to endorse the 'Bishkek Declaration' on the conservation of snow leopards.

Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Programme (GSLEP) was also launched on this day to address high-mountain development issues using conservation of the snow leopard as a flagship.
Pakistan unlikely to exit FATF’s grey list: Report
The FATF had placed Pakistan on the grey list in June 2018 and asked Islamabad to implement a plan of action to curb money laundering and terror financing by the end of 2019, but the deadline was extended later on due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FATF's Grey List
The grey list comprises countries being monitored by the watchdog.

The FATF places those countries on its grey list which are not taking measures to combat terror funding and money laundering.

Placement on the grey list is a warning for a country that it may be put on the blacklist in case of its failure to take effective measures against money laundering and terror financing.

After being placed on the grey list, a country is directly scrutinised by the financial watchdog until it is satisfied by the measures taken to curb terror financing and money laundering.

If the watchdog does not deem progress by countries on the list as satisfactory, they may be relegated to the blacklist — a list of the countries branded as uncooperative and tax havens for terror funding. These countries may face global sanctions as well.
Poland’s top court rules out abortions due to fetal defects
Women in Poland have been protesting a court ruling that drastically restricts their right to access safe and legal abortions.

The existing 1993 abortion law permits the termination of pregnancy on the grounds of foetal defects.

These are already considered some of the strictest laws in Europe and after the enactment of the court’s decision, abortions will only be permitted in cases of rape, incest, or if there is a threat to the mother’s life.

Background:
Poland’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that an existing law was unconstitutional because the Polish constitution assures a right to life and the abortion based on a foetal malfunction was a directly forbidden form of discrimination.

Tribunal held that permitting abortions in the case of foetal deformities legalised “eugenic practices with regard to an unborn child, thus denying it the respect and protection of human dignity.”

Eugenics is the practice or advocacy of improving the human species by selectively mating people with specific desirable hereditary traits.

It aims to reduce human suffering by “breeding out” disease, disabilities and so-called undesirable characteristics from the human population.
Bangladesh government orders ‘no mask, no service’ policy
The Bangladesh government has decided that no service will be provided to people who don’t wear masks.

The cabinet meeting Chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided that no one will be allowed to enter offices without the mask. It decided that all offices must install notice boards saying ‘no mask, no service’ in order to control the spread of COVID 19 virus in the country.

People at all public and private offices, social institutions, haat-bazars, shopping malls, other establishments, educational institutions, mosques or other places of worship throughout the country must use mask in view of the coronavirus pandemic.

Involving community leaders in the campaign to wear masks, the government has also talked to the Islamic scholars and religious leaders to publicise this at all mosques through the Imam

India-Bangladesh during COVID-19

India provided HCQ tablets and protective gear in April 2020. Bangladesh was one of the countries to receive aid from India at the earliest when the pandemic began to spread.

In April 2020, India sent 500,000 surgical gloves and 1 lakh HCQ

Again, in May, 2020, India provided over 30,000 RT-PCR test kits.
When is the World Polio Day observed?
World Polio Day is celebrated on October 24 Every year, the day is celebrated to highlight the global efforts towards polio-free world. Also, the day encourages the use of polio vaccines.

BACKGROUND:
World Polio Day was established by Rotary International over a decade ago to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop the vaccine against the disease.

As per the WHO, since 1980, the cases of wild poliovirus have decreased by over 99.9 per cent as a result of vaccination efforts made around the world.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), led by national governments and the WHO, has been monitoring the disease situation globally.

India was declared polio-free in January 2014, after three years of zero cases, an achievement widely believed to have been spurred by the successful pulse polio campaign in which all children were administered polio drops.

The last case due to wild poliovirus in the country was detected on January 13, 2011.
When is the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage observed?
The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is celebrated on 27 October every year.

Theme: “Your Window to the World”

This commemorative day was chosen by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2005 to raise awareness of the significance and preservation risks of recorded sound and audiovisual documents (films, sound and video recordings, radio and television programmes).

The main objectives of designating the date of 27 October were listed by UNESCO:

Raising public awareness of the need for preservation.

Providing opportunities to celebrate specific local, national or international aspects of the heritage.

Highlighting the accessibility of archives.

Attracting media attention to heritage issues.

Raising the cultural status of audiovisual heritage.

Highlighting audiovisual heritage in danger, especially in developing countries.
When is the INFANTRY DAY observed?
Indian Army celebrates Infantry Day is celebrated on 27th October every year to commemorate the first engagement with an armed adversary post-independence.

To commemorate the selfless dedication to duty by Indian Army’s gallant Infantrymen, Vajra Corps celebrated the 74th Infantry Day with pride and honour.

In response to the threat posed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nation, on this day in 1947, the leading elements of the Indian Army air landed at Srinagar and gallantly fought the Pakistani tribesmen led by Pakistan Army.

This bold action by the Indian Army and indomitable courage displayed by the Infantrymen reversed the tide of events and thwarted the adversary's nefarious designs.

In a solemn ceremony, Lieutenant General Sanjeev Sharma, General Officer Commanding Vajra Corps, laid wreath at ‘Vajra Shaurya Sthal’ in Jalandhar Cantt in the honour of brave martyrs who have made supreme sacrifice for the nation.
Chileans vote to replace Pinochet-era Constitution
Chile voted in favour of replacing its Constitution with a new document. Since it transitioned to democracy in 1990, Chile has amended the Constitution to take away many of its anti-democratic features.

Replacing the Constitution is going to be a two-year process. In 2021, Chileans will elect a 155-member Assembly with a half delegates of women to draft the new document, which will then be put to a plebiscite in 2022.

The new Constitution is also expected to be a heated political issue, with the general elections next year. But despite the political and procedural challenges, it offers a fresh opportunity for Chile to say goodbye to a dark era.

Now, through a democratic process, Chileans can bury the document and introduce a modern democratic charter. It offers them an opportunity to right the systemic wrongs of the past.

It will also chart out a more inclusive economic and social system that works well for all Chileans.

Background:
Mass protests shook Chile. In 2019 So, the conservative President, Sebastián Piñera, agreed to hold a referendum on rewriting the country’s Constitution.

This Constitution was introduced during the military dictatorship. It was approved in a fraudulent plebiscite in 1980. It was the main hurdle in introducing social and economic reforms. Now, 78% of Chileans voted in favour of replacing the charter with a new document.

Protests erupted last year over a small rise in metro fares. But it soon snowballed into a public agitation demanding reforms, An abolition of the private pension fund system, implemented by Gen.

Pinochet, An increase in investments in education and health care, and Strengthening of the rights of the indigenous communities. The protesters also demanded an overhaul of the Constitution as it was impossible to introduce far-reaching reforms with the current charter. With the recent plebiscite results, they have won the first stage.
Israeli Parliament Approves Historic Peace Deal with UAE
The Parliament of Israel, approved the historic normalization deal or the peace deal called as the Abraham Accord with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on October 15, 2020. Israeli Parliament initially signed the agreement in Washington on September 15, 2020.

Highlights:
Eighty were voted in favour of the deal while 13 were opposed it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for peace with Lebanon which is Israel's neighbour in the north.

The UAE and Bahrain became the first Gulf countries to agree upon the formulation of official relations with Israel.

The two countries had recently launched US-led negotiations to end the dispute over their maritime border.

Earlier, two Arab countries, namely Egypt and Jordan, had signed peace agreements with Israel.

Israel-UAE peace deal:
Under the Abraham Accord, the United Arab Emirates will establish diplomatic relations with Israel. While in return PM Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to giving up a plan to annex the West Bank.

West bank is the main disputed territory that Palestine wants. Israel and the United Arab Emirates would also be finalizing the bilateral ties covering the areas of investment, tourism, the establishment of direct flights, energy, security, telecommunications, healthcare, technology, cultural exchange, environmental issues, and the establishment of embassies.
When is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty observed?
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed annually on October 17 all over the globe. It is celebrated to create awareness to know about those who are struggling and living in poverty.

Aim:
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated to create awareness about the people who are suffering and living in poverty. It is much essential to eradicate poverty across the globe, especially in developing countries.

Theme:
The Theme for the year 2020 is "Acting together to achieve social and environmental justice for all". This Theme intends on equal justice to all besides poor or rich.

History:
On December 22, 1992, a resolution 47/196 was adopted by the General Assembly and declared October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of poverty. All the States and people are invited to promote the day and do various activities to eradicate poverty and deprivation.

Highlights:
Over ten years, 271 million people have escaped poverty from India, India came down to 2nd potion from being the home for most poverty population.

The poverty rate is dropping rapidly in India, and if this continues consistently, India might able to eradicate poverty by 2030.

Many fund-raising programs, government events, food distribution, awareness camps and more international day for poverty eradication activities are organized to support the Eradication of poverty.

But recently, the poverty eradication developments in the country took a hit when India slipped to 102nd Rank in the Global Hunger Index.
Global tuberculosis report 2020
World Health Organisation (WHO) has published global tuberculosis (TB) report of 2020.

Highlights:
WHO has published a global tuberculosis (TB) report every year from 1997.

The report published by WHO provides a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the TB epidemic, progress in prevention, diagnosis & treatment of the disease at the regional level and country level and global level.

This is done in the context of global strategies and targets endorsed by WHO's the Member States, broader development goals set by the United Nations & targets set in the political declaration at the 2018 United Nation high-level meeting on Tuberculosis.

The 2020 edition of the report was published on 14 October 2020.

The data in this report are updated every year.

Global TB reports from previous years are available from the WHO Institutional Repository for Information Sharing (IRIS).

The most recent time-series of estimates are published in the 2020 global TB report.
Originalism, SC Nominee Barrett's Judicial Philosophy
US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett, who is widely expected to be confirmed by Republican lawmakers before the November 3 election, has described “originalism” as her legal philosophy.

Amy Coney Barrett
Barrett, is slated to be the third judge to be appointed by President Donald Trump to the country’s 9-member top court– where justices can potentially serve for life.

Details
Originalism means interpreting the country’s Constitution as per the intentions of its 18th-century founding leaders.

In legal philosophy, this theory prescribes that while resolving disputes, judges should interpret the constitution as it was understood at the time it was ratified, irrespective of whether they personally agree or disagree with the outcome of a case decided this way.

According to originalists, the meaning of the constitution is fixed at the time of its framing, either in the form of the meaning of the words used, or the intentions of the drafters. The job of the court is to stick to this original meaning.

The word ‘originalism’ was coined in the 1980s, and has since been popular among US conservatives, who have sought to promote judicial restraint on the country’s federal courts.

Adherents of originalism believe that social change should be brought about by new laws made by elected representatives, and not through judicial activism, in which judges make new interpretations of the constitution.
World Statistics Day is observed on October 20, 2020
The Static - division of the United Nations Department of Economic Affairs is the global coordinator of the campaign, defining global key messages and making available outreach resources to countries and other partners

Highlights:
The 3rd World Statistics Day will be celebrated around the globe on 20 October 2020.

The theme of 2020–“Connecting the world with data we can trust”

This theme reflects the importance of trust, authoritative data, innovation and the public good in national statistical systems.

The celebration of World Statistics Day 2020 is a global collaborative endeavour, organized under the guidance of the United Nations Statistical Commission.

The Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic Affairs is the global coordinator of the campaign, defining global key messages and making available outreach resources to countries and other partners through this website.

National statistical offices act as national coordinators, translating promotional materials into national languages and organizing events and outreach efforts at national and subnational levels.

International organizations play a key role in amplifying campaigns at the global and regional levels and organizing their own events.
Quad navies for Malabar Exercise 2020
The Quadrilateral grouping of US, Japan, India and Australia are sending their warships for the Malabar Exercise next month.

Background
Tension over Sino-Indian military standoff along the Line of Actual Control in Ladakh and rising tensions in the South China Sea, led QUAD nations to come together.

New Delhi (India)and Washington (US) are also stepping up efforts to conclude the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) ahead of the Indo-US 2+2 ministerial meeting on October 26-27.

A key military pact, BECA will allow India to use US geospatial intelligence and enhance accuracy of automated systems and weapons like missiles and armed drones.

Details
Australia will be part of the Malabar Exercise in November, making it the first military exercise between all countries that make the Quadrilateral grouping (QUAD).

Since 2017, Malabar had been a trilateral exercise involving the navies of US, India and Japan.

Exercise includes simulated war games, combat manoeuvres, complex maritime operations in surface, sub-surface and air domains, with focus on anti-submarine warfare, anti-air and anti-surface firings, maritime interdiction operations (MIO) including Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) and tactical scenario-based exercises at sea.

The work on BECA and the decision of the four Quad countries to participate in the Malabar Exercise are perceived to be a strategic signal to an aggressive China.
Which country recently joined as 190th Member of International Monetary Fund?
Europe’s Andorra formally joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 16 th October, becoming the crisis lender’s 190th member state as the tourism and trade-dependent principality struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.

Highlights:
Andorra’s initial quota – the capital subscription that determines its voting power and access to financing – is 82.5 million Special Drawing Rights, or about $116.4 million.

Andorra faces short-term and long-term challenges common to European and other IMF member countries which have been aggravated by the (coronavirus) pandemic.

As an IMF member, the principality’s government will get an annual review of its economic prospects and policies by Fund staff, technical policy advice and full participation in IMF and World Bank spring and annual meetings.

Nazca Lines
A massive carving of a resting cat on the slope of a steep hill was discovered at Peru's famous Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its depictions of larger-than-life animals, plants and imaginary beings.

Nazca Lines
The Nazca Lines are a group of geoglyphs, or large designs made on the ground by creators using elements of the landscape such as stones, gravel, dirt or lumber.

These are believed to be the greatest known archaeological enigma, owing to their size, continuity, nature and quality.

They were created between 500 BCE and 500 CE by people making depressions or shallow incisions in the desert floor, removing pebbles and leaving differently coloured dirt exposed.

There are many figurative designs of animals and plants. The figures include pelicans (the largest ones sized around 935 feet long), Andean Condors (443 feet), monkeys (360 feet), hummingbirds (165 feet), and spiders (150 feet).

There are also geometric shapes, such as triangles, trapezoids and spirals, and some have been associated with astronomical functions.

The Lines were first discovered in 1927, and were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.
Protests to Coup: Kyrgyzstan
Protesters in Kyrgyzstan have captured key government buildings, including the Parliament house and the presidential office and the situation is like a coup.

Key Points
Kyrgyzstan, often referred to as Central Asia’s only democracy, had seen violent anti-government protests in the past.

In 2005 and 2010, sitting presidents were forced out of office in popular protests- ‘Tulip’ and ‘Melon’ revolutions.

The current protests began after early results of the parliamentary election were announced.

Political parties in Kyrgyzstan should win at least 7% of the popular vote to enter Parliament.

The results showed that only four parties managed to cross the threshold and of which, three were pro-government parties.

The only one opposition party could cross the threshold.
When is the World Migratory Bird Day observed?
The World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated twice a year, that is, on second Saturdays of May and October.

Earlier in May, the day was celebrated on May 9, 2020.

Both the days are celebrated under the same theme.

This year, the day is celebrated under the theme: Birds Connect Our World.

Details
The idea of celebrating World Migratory Day was designed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service in 1993.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.

It aims to draw attention to the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.

The campaign is organised by two international wildlife treaties administered by the United Nations Environment Programme. These are:

African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement

Convention on the conservation of Migratory species of wild animals.

Migratory birds in India
Every year, lakhs of migratory birds fly to India from thousands of kilometres.

India is part of the Central Asian Flyway, which extends from the northernmost breeding grounds in Siberia to the southernmost non-breeding wintering grounds in West Asia and the Maldives.

Five favourite spots of migratory birds in India
Chilika Lake, Odisha
Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan
Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kerala
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
When is the International Girl Child Day observed?
International Day of the Girl Child is globally observed on 11 October every year. The day aims to meet the needs and challenges faced by girls.

It also aims to promote girls' empowerment and the fulfilment of their human rights.

Theme:
The theme for 2020 International Day of the Girl Child "My voice, our equal future".

The theme focuses on reimagining a better world inspired adolescent girls.

International Day of the Girl 2020 will focus on their demands to Learn new skills towards the futures they choose, Live free from gender-based violence, harmful practices, and HIV and AIDS, and Lead as a generation of activists accelerating social change.

History:
In 1995, the 4th World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, China. The conference was determined to recognize the rights of women and girls as human rights. It adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action which is the most comprehensive policy agenda for the empowerment of women.

On 19 December 2011, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child.

The resolution recognized girl's rights and the challenges that girls face around the world. The first International Day of the Girl Child was observed on 11 October 2012 with the theme Ending Child Marriage.
United Nations Still Birth Report
The United Nations launched a first-ever report on stillbirths titled “A Neglected Tragedy: The Global Burden of Stillbirths”.

The report is jointly released by the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization, the World Bank and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

A still birth means a baby born with no signs of life at 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Key Findings
A stillborn baby is delivered every 16 seconds, which translates into nearly two million infants over the course of a year that never take their first breath.

84 percent of stillbirths occur in low and lower-middle income countries in 2019.

The stillbirths remain a challenge for high-income countries, where a mother's level of education is one of the greatest drivers of inequity, and ethnic minorities may lack access to sufficient quality health care.

The report warns that the COVID-19 pandemic will likely cause a further rise in the number of stillbirths over the next 12 months.

A pandemic-induced 50-percent reduction in health services, could cause nearly 200,000 additional stillbirths in the upcoming year in 117 low-and middle-income countries.

Poor quality of pregnancy and delivery care, a lack of antenatal and intrapartum services and weak nursing and midwifery workforces are responsible for most of these occurrences.

The report suggests that even before the pandemic, few women in low-and middle-income countries received timely, high-quality care to prevent stillbirths, with coverage ranging from less than 2 percent to only 50 percent in eight important maternal health interventions, including C-sections, malaria prevention and pregnancy hypertension management.

Despite advances in health services from 2000 to 2019, the annual stillbirth reduction rate was just 2.3 percent, compared with a 2.9-percent reduction in neonatal mortality, and 4.3 percent in mortality among children aged one to 59 months.
UN International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction is observed on 13 October
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) is observed on 13 October every year. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that people and communities around the world face due to disasters.

Theme:
The theme of 2020 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is "Disaster risk governance". The Covid-19 pandemic and the climate emergency urges a plan, clear vision, and competent, empowered institutions acting on scientific evidence for the public good.

History:
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was initiated in 1989. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established the observation of the day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction.

The day is observed to celebrate how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters. The day aims to increase awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.

Sendai Seven campaign:
The United Nations Office launched the Sendai Seven campaign for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in 2016. The campaign has seven targets and 38 indicators to measure progress on reducing disaster losses.

It aims to promote all the sectors to reduce disaster risk and disaster losses. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is action-oriented and people-focussed in the approach to disaster risk reduction and applies to the risk of small- and large-scale disasters that are caused by man-made, or natural hazards, and related environmental, technological and biological hazards and risks.
October is observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is observed as the Breast Cancer Awareness Month every year across the globe. It helps to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment and palliative care of this disease.

The annual campaign of Breast Cancer Awareness Month aims to increase awareness of the disease.

Breast Cancer:
IARC Globocan, 2008 reports states that there are about 1.38 million new cases and 458 000 deaths from breast cancer each year.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In both the low- and middle-income countries the incidence has been rising steadily in the previous years due to increase in life expectancy, adoption of western lifestyles, and increased urbanization.

The main cause of breast cancer is unknown. The early detection of breast cancer is the cornerstone of breast cancer control. If breast cancer is detected early, and with adequate diagnosis and treatment there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured.

If breast cancer is detected late, the curative treatment is often no longer an option. The majority of deaths due to breast cancer is due to the late diagnosis of cancer due to lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services.

As apart of national cancer control plans, the World Health Organization (WHO) promotes comprehensive breast cancer control programmes. WHO recommends early detection strategies for low- and middle-income countries are awareness of early symptoms and signs and screening by clinical breast examination in demonstration areas.

Also, Mammography screening for breast cancer is very costly and feasible only in developed countries and countries with good health infrastructure that can afford a long-term programme.
World Bank report "Beaten or Broken? Informality and COVID-19 in South Asia"
The report titled “Beaten or Broken? Informality and Covid-19 in South Asia” claims that South Asia is set to plunge into its worst-ever recession in 2020 as the devastating impacts of Covid-19 on the region’s economies linger.

The report analyses the impact of school closures because of Covid on children.

Key Findings
South Asia region stands to lose USD 622 billion from the school closures in the present scenario or up to USD 880 billion in a more pessimistic scenario.

While the regional loss is largely driven by India, all countries will lose substantial shares of their GDP.

Temporary school closures in all South Asian countries have had major implications for students. They have kept 391 million students out of school in primary and secondary education, further complicating efforts to resolve the learning crisis.

The pandemic may cause up to 5.5 million students to drop out from the education system and cause substantial learning losses, which will have a lifetime impact on the productivity of a generation of students.

The projected learning loss for the region is 0.5 years of learning-adjusted years of schooling (LAYS), falling from 6.5 LAYS to 6.0 LAYS, an enormous setback from recent advances in schooling.

The report has projected that based on country data on household laborincomes, the average child in South Asia may lose USD 4,400 in lifetime earnings once having entered the labour market, equivalent to 5 percent of total earnings.
UN Human Rights Council
China, Russia and Cuba won seats on the U.N.’s premiere human rights body by secret-ballot voting.

Under the Human Rights Council’s rules, seats are allocated to regions to ensure geographical representation.

UNHRC
The UNHRC was established by the UN General Assembly on 15 March 2006.

It is a United Nations body whose mission is to promote and protect human rights around the world. The UNHRC has 47 members elected for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis.

The headquarters of UNHRC is in Geneva, Switzerland.

The UNHRC investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in United Nations member states, and addresses important thematic human rights issues such as freedom of association and assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of belief and religion, women's rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.

Members
The Council consists of 47 members, elected yearly for staggered three-year terms.

Members are selected via the basis of equitable geographic rotation using the United Nations regional grouping system.

Members are eligible for re-election for one additional term, after which they must relinquish their seat.

The seats are distributed along the following lines:
13 for the African Group
13 for the Asia-Pacific Group
6 for the Eastern European Group
8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group
7 for the Western European and Others Group
FATFs Asia Pacific Group marks Pakistan on Enhanced Follow-up List
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Asia Pacific group has kept Pakistan in its ‘Enhanced Follow Up’ list. The organisation had downgraded Pakistan status from “regular follow-up”.

Highlights
The Asia-pacific group of FATF submitted the report called “Follow up report on the mutual evaluation of Pakistan”.

The report states that the progress of Pakistan to combat the Financing of terror system and anti-money laundering made by the FATF has remained the same in 2020 as compared to that of 2019.

Enhanced follow up status means the country needs to provide reports on monthly basis compliance to the Financial Action Task Force.

Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) report also showed the gaps in the process of developing and identifying vulnerabilities, threats and risks.

After the publication of a National Risk Assessment (NRA) 2017, on Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing by Pakistan, The MER report came.

The MER highlighted that 2017 NRA had not been circulated to private sector stakeholders and they were not yet subjected to the comprehensive Anti-money Laundering and Terrorist Financing measures.

Background:
Pakistan has made significant progress to implement the FATF’s plan of action after the publication of the earlier report. Pakistan is unlikely to be placed in the FATF’s blacklist.

Pakistan was under the FATF grey list in the year 2019. After that, Pakistan passed three bills to combat the terrorism and money laundering - Anti-terrorism act (Amendment) Bill 2020, Anti-money laundering (Amendment) Bill and Islamabad capital territory Waqf properties Bill, 2020.
When is the World Standards Day observed?
World Standards Day is observed on 14 October annually. World Standards Day is celebrated in the view of paying tribute to efforts of thousands of experts in the world who were involved in developing the voluntary technical agreements that are published as International Standards.

Theme:
Each and every year the day is celebrated with a theme. The theme of 2020 World Standards Day is “Protecting the Planet with Standards”. The theme addresses protecting our earth from negative human impact using international standards.

History:
The official celebration of World Standards day started in 1970 and initially, in 1946, 25 countries were gathered in London for the 1st time and decided for the annual celebration.

It is celebrated by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India. Standardization is more beneficial and it promotes the economic aspects of the nations and the Standardization process includes testing, quality checking, auditing, certifying etc.

The experts honoured in this day are from the organisations of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
Pakistan re-elected to UN Human Rights Council
Pakistan has been re-elected to the UNHRC despite opposition from activist groups over its terrible human rights records.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is a United Nations body whose aim is to promote and protect human rights all over the world.

Highlights:
Among the 5 candidates from the Asia-Pacific region, Pakistan secured the highest number of votes.

In a secret-ballot voting, by the 193-member in UN General Assembly, Pakistan secured 169 votes, Uzbekistan 164, Nepal 150, China 139 and Saudi Arabia lost the race with just 90 votes.

Pakistan is serving on the UNHRC since January 1, 2018. With this re-election, Pakistan will continue as a member for another three-year term commencing on January 1, 2021.

This is the 5th time that Pakistan has been elected to the UNHRC

Pakistan is firmly committed to promoting and safeguarding human rights and fundamental freedoms for all and also effective in sustaining it.

Russia and Cuba, running unopposed, also won the seats.
When is the World White cane day observed?
The National Federation of the Blind celebrates “White Cane Awareness Day” every year on 15 October. For blind people, the white cane is an essential tool that gives us the ability to achieve a full and independent life.

It allows us to move freely and safely from place to place, whether it's at work, at school, or around our neighbourhoods.

Highlights:
World White Cane Day is also known as White Cane Safety Day is celebrated every year on October 15.

The day was first marked in 1964 in United States by President Lyndon B Johnson.

In 2011, President Barack Obama named the day as Blind Americans Equality Day.

The day is now observed worldwide and recognises the movement of blind people from dependency to active participation in society. It also celebrates the achievement of blind people.

White cane and its significance
White cane is an important mobility tool and a symbol of independence. Canes have been used by blind people for centuries but white cane was not in use before the 20th century.

It was introduced in the US in the 1930s and it helped motorists identify blind people walking on the streets. The cane has now become a symbol of freedom, independence, and confidence. It enables a blind person to move freely and helps in accomplishing daily tasks.

How it works?
Blind people use their hearing and touch sense to understand the environment around them.

It helps them in assessing the situation, directions, obstacles, and take decisions quickly without any hesitation. The tool enables the person in doing almost everything in his or her life without much difficulty.
When is the World Students Day observed?
World Students Day is celebrated on October 15 that marks the birth anniversary of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. The day was first celebrated in 2010 to honour the students for their hard work and determination.

Theme:
The theme of World Students Day 2020 is‘Learning for people, planet, prosperity, and peace’. This theme intends to highlight the centrality of development ambitions for our collectivity with humanitarian objectives. The day is celebrated to pay honor to the students from all across the globe for their hard work, dedication, and determination.

Key facts about the day
Every year the “World students day” is celebrated across the globe.

It was first celebrated in 2010 in the UN (United Nations) on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s birthday when he was 79 years old.

The day is celebrated to honour the most loved President of India who was a scientist, a teacher, an author among many other roles that he played.

Dr Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameshwaram, Tamil Nadu, and studied physics and aerospace engineering.

He spent the next four decades as a scientist and science administrator, mainly at the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation).

His favourite job was teaching and that is how he wanted the world to remember him. His death also happened while doing what he loves the most. Dr. Kalam was delivering a lecture to the students of IIM (Indian Institute of Management) Shillong when he fell down the stage suffering a stroke and passed away on July 27, 2015.

Dr. Kalam was the author of three books and recipient of several awards including Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Bharat Ratna, Veer Savarkar Award, Ramanujan Award.

He was also called 'Missile Man of India' for his work on the development of ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. Many educational institutes, scientific institutions, and some locations were named after his death.
When is the International Day of Rural Women observed?
International Day of Rural Women is observed on 15 October every year by the United Nations. International Rural Women’s day is observed annually on 15 October all over the globe.

Aim:
The day is celebrated in the view of empowering the women community all over the world. The day emphasizes that world’s future sustainability will be supported by rural girls and women.

Theme:
Theme of 2020 is “Building rural women’s resilience in the wake of COVID-19” or “building back better” by strengthening rural women’s sustainable livelihoods and wellbeing.

Background:
The resolution for the celebration of International Day of Rural Women was first passed in the year 2007 and it was started to celebrate from the year 2008.

The Indian government has launched various schemes for the empowerment of rural women which includes Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala scheme (providing LPG connections in rural areas), Anandadhara Yojana, a poverty-alleviation program through self-help groups.
When is the World Food Day observed?
The World Food Day is celebrated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization on October 16 every year.

This year, the World Food Day is celebrated under the theme: Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together. Our Actions are our Future

Theme highlights the need to work in such a way that every person gets the required amount of nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives.

Details
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) designated 16 October as World Food Day in 1979.

World Food Day is also commemorated as the anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

World Food Day 2020 holds significance as this year marks the 75thanniversary of FAO, which works in over 130 countries worldwide.

The goal of FAO is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food.
When is the World Animal Welfare Day observed?
World Animal Welfare Day is celebrated on 4th October every year to raise awareness about improving the welfare standards of the animals across the world and also to celebrate the relationship between humankind and animal kingdom.

It also aims to educate the world and full regard to their welfare.

History:
World Animal Day The day was first organized by Heinrich Zimmermann on 24th March 1925, at Sports Palace in Berlin, Germany. More than 5,000 people attended the first event.

Initially, it was scheduled for 4th October to align with Saint Francis of Assisi feast day. In 1929, World Animal Day was celebrated on 4th October for the first time.

World Animal Welfare Day was first started in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence, Italy, to highlight the importance of endangered species.
When is the World Habitat Day observed?
World Habitat Day 2020 is observed on the First Monday of October every year to raise awareness about the importance of achieving sustainable development simultaneously. It also aims to provide shelter and basic amenities and improve the conditions of every human settlement.

History:
World Habitat Day was declared first in 1985 by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after passing a resolution 40/202. The day was first celebrated in the year 1986. World Habitat Day is to remind us to be self-disciplined and be responsible citizens and to make people aware that they have the power to change, improve and reshape the future of our cities and living conditions of our fellow human beings.
When is the World Teachers Day observed?
World Teachers' Day is observed on 5th October every year to provide a great opportunity to appreciate and thank all the teachers of the world who have gone out of their way to make sure no one is left behind. World Teachers' Day 2020 assumes huge significance amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Theme:
The theme for 2020 World Teachers' Day is "Teachers: Leading in crisis, reimagining the future." The theme focuses to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, draw attention to the voices of teachers, and take stock of achievements. Teachers are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.

History:
World Teachers' Day is observed annually on 5 October since 1994. The Day commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 International Labour Organization (ILO)/ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The day is co-convened in partnership with UNICEF, the International Labour Organization and Education International.
When is the World Cotton Day Observed?
The world Cotton Day is held annually on October 7 since 2019 to recognize the importance of cotton as a global commodity grown in over 75 countries across five continents and to highlight its central role in job creation and maintaining economic stability in several least-developed countries. The year 2020 marks its first anniversary

Background
The Cotton-4 group (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali) initiated the cotton sectoral initiative at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to improve the global trade rules related to cotton. It was there in 2019 that WTO organized the World Cotton Day event in collaboration with the secretariats of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC).
The World Bank has released the Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report
World Bank has released the Poverty and Shared Prosperity Report. It is released biennially by the World Bank.

It provides the latest and most accurate estimates on trends in global poverty and shared prosperity.

Each year, the series explores a central challenge to poverty reduction and boosting shared prosperity, assessing what works well and what does not in different settings.

The 2020 report presents new estimates of COVID-19’s impacts on global poverty and inequality.

According to the report, around 150 million people are likely to enter extreme poverty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in different countries.

It states that global extreme poverty is expected to rise for the first time in 20 years because of the disruption caused by COVID-19, exacerbating the impact of conflict and climate change, which were already slowing down poverty reduction.

It shows that pandemic-related job losses and deprivation worldwide are hitting already-poor and vulnerable people hard, while also partly changing the profile of global poverty by creating millions of new poor.
When is the World Sight Day observed?
World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October, 2020. The day aims to create awareness globally about blindness and vision impairment.

Globally, IAPB has a leadership role in preparing the annual World Sight Day

Theme of World Sight Day 2020 is ‘Hope In Sight’

Reason behind the theme- To find solutions to ensure that everyone, everywhere has access to sight.

Background
Originally the day was initiated in 2000 by the SightFirst Campaign launched by the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF).

It was then incorporated into VISION 2020, a global initiative to, “eliminate avoidable blindness as a public health problem by the year 2020”

Each year the day’s theme is generated by IAPB, along with this it also creates main materials annually for the day.

The Right to Sight was launched in 1999 by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.
When is the World Post Day observed?
World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern.

Details
It was declared World Post Day by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969.

The proposal was submitted by Shri Anand Mohan Narula, a member of the Indian delegation. Since then, World Post Day has been celebrated all over the world to highlight the importance of the postal services.

The UPU was the start of the global communications revolution, introducing the ability to write letter to others all over the world.

Universal Postal Union
UPU, established by the Treaty of Bern of 1874, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that coordinates postal policies among member nations, in addition to the worldwide postal system.

The UPU contains four bodies consisting of the Congress, the Council of Administration (CA), the Postal Operations Council (POC) and the International Bureau (IB).

It also oversees the Telematics and Express Mail Service (EMS) cooperatives.

The UPU's headquarters are located in Bern, Switzerland.
When is the International Day of Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons observed?
Every year International Day of Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is celebrated on September 26.

Aim
The aims of the day are to enhance public awareness about the threat posed to humanity by nuclear weapons and the necessity for their total elimination.

Highlights
In 2013, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared September 26 to be the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons (Nuclear Abolition Day).

The UNGA resolution establishing the day also calls for progress on a nuclear weapons convention.

Nuclear Weapons convention is a global treaty involving the nuclear armed states in the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons under strict and effective international control.
Referendum on Free Movement: Switzerland-EU
In a recent referendum, the Swiss people have rejected a bid to reduce immigration from the European Union (EU). Over five million Swiss voters cast ballots to decide whether to abandon an agreement with the EU which allows for the free movement of people across the country.

Key Points
Switzerland is not a member of the EU but has a series of interdependent treaties with Brussels (EU Headquarter) which allow it access to Europe's free trade area.

1992-2002: Switzerland negotiated and signed first bilateral agreements with the EU, making them interdependent and included the free movement of people which was again backed by a vote in 2000.

It is a member of the EU’s Single Market, which allows people to move and work freely in all 27 EU countries as well as in Switzerland.

Around 1.4 million out of the 8.2 million people residing in Switzerland are EU citizens and an average of 5,00,000 Swiss citizens are believed to be living in other EU countries at the moment.

If people choose to end the agreement, the Swiss government will have to unilaterally void its free movement agreement with the EU by invoking a so-called guillotine clause.

This clause would have impacted other bilateral deals on transport, research and trade with the EU, disrupting economic activity.
When is the International Day for Universal Access to Information observed?
International Day for Universal Access to Information is observed on 28 September globally. The main objective is to guarantee public access to information to save lives, build trust.

Theme:
The 2020 theme for the 2020 International Day for Universal Access to Information focuses on "Saving lives, Building Trust, Bringing Hope."

The day focuses on the right to information in times of crisis, especially on Covid-19 pandemic.

The main objective is to guarantee public access to information to save lives, build trust and help the formulation of sustainable policies through and beyond the COVID-19 crisis.

History:
On 17 November 2015, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) declared 28 September as International Day for Universal Access to Information.

Most of the civil society organizations and government bodies in the world adopted the observation of the International Day for Universal Access to Information. The day was first observed on 28 September 2016.

In 2019, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) also adopted 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information.
When is the World Tourism Day observed?
World Tourism Day 2020 is observed on 27 September every year. World Tourism Day 2020 aims to raise awareness about the role of tourism around the world. World Tourism Day also ensures to promote social, cultural, political and economic values.

Theme:
World Tourism Day 2020 theme is ‘Tourism and Rural Development’. The theme aims to focus the tourism is a leading provider of employment and opportunities in the countless rural communities around the world. The Covid-19 pandemic, the industry had been hard hit.

History:
The UN (United Nations) decided to celebrate the World Tourism Day on 27 September 1980. The day was chosen because the Constitution of the World Tourism Organization was accepted on this day in 1970.

World Tourism Day 2020 is celebrated as Tourism empowers rural communities, opportunities and providing jobs. It provides opportunities for youth and women all around the world.
When is the World Heart Day observed?
World Heart Day is observed on 29 September every year. The day aims to increase awareness in the public about cardiovascular diseases including their prevention and also their global impact.

Theme:
The theme of World Heart Day 2020 is the “Use your heart to beat CVD”. CVD is the most known cause of death on Earth. It could be because of various issues such as smoking, diabetes, high B.P., unhealthy dietary patterns, pollution etc.

Using your heart is about using your head to understand about living a healthy life with a healthy heart; about using your influence to set an example for your loved ones; and about compassion to look beyond just yourself and think about ways to support the most vulnerable in society.

History:
World Heart Day was established by the World Heart Federation (WHF) in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1999.

The idea was initiated by Antoni Bayes de Luna when he served as the president of the World Heart Federation (WHF) from 1997-1999.

Until 2011, the World Heart Day was celebrated on the last Sunday of September. The first celebration took place on the 24th of September 2000.
When is the World contraception day observed?
World contraception day is observed on 26th September every year. The day aims to improve and raise awareness of contraceptive methods and enable men and women to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health.

Different Methods of contraception
Contraception is commonly called as birth control. It is a method or a process followed to prevent pregnancy. The methods of contraception available for men and women are:
Condoms
Contraception Injection
Contraception patch
Birth control pills

History:
World Contraception Day was first observed on 26 September 2007. World Contraception Day is supported by a coalition of 15 international NGOs, governmental organizations and scientific and medical societies with an interest in sexual and reproductive health. It is sponsored by Bayer AG.
When is the International Translation Day observed?
International Translation Day is celebrated on the 30th of September every year. The day is observed on the feast of St. Jerome, the Bible translator who is known as the patron saint of the translators.

Theme:
The theme of 2020 International Translation Day is “Finding the words for a world in crisis”. The theme focuses to highlight the significance of translators, interpreters and terminologists in managing the situations on an International scale, National scale as well as on a local scale.

History:
In the year 1991, FIT initiated the observation of International Translation Day for the recognition of the translation community worldwide.

On 24 May 2017, the UN General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution declaring 30th of September as International Translation Day.

International Federation of Translators (FIT):
The International Federation of Translators (FIT) was set up in 1953. FIT is an international grouping of associations of interpreters, translators, and terminologists.

Over 100 professional associations are affiliated FIT. It represents over 80,000 translators in 55 countries.
When is the International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction observed?
International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction is observed on 29 September. The day is the observed for the first time in 2020.

The move comes amid the global COVID-19 pandemic as it has brought about a global wake-up on the need to transform and rebalance the way the food is produced and consumed.

The day offers an opportunity to sharpen focus on the need to reduce FLW and how doing so can contribute to sustainable development.

Theme:
The theme for 2020 International Day of Awareness on Food Loss and Waste Reduction is "Stop food loss and waste. For the people. For the planet." It aims to reduced food loss and waste requires the attention and actions of all, from food producers, to food supply chain stakeholders, to food industries, retailers and consumers.

Background:
In 2019, the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) designated 29 September as the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste. The UNGA passed the resolution A/RES/74/209 and designated the day.

The day aims to recognize the fundamental role that sustainable food production plays in promoting food security and nutrition. We need to be aware on the importance of the food loss and waste issue, and promoting global efforts towards resolving it.
When is the International Day of Non-Violence observed?
International Day of Non-Violence is annually observed on 2 October every year.

International Day of Non-Violence 2020 is observed on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a great leader of the Indian independence movement.

Gandhi was a pioneer of the philosophy and non-violence strategy.

History:
On 15 June 2007, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed the resolution A/RES/61/271 and designated the observation of the International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October every year.

The Day was established with an aim to secure tolerance, the culture of peace, understanding, and non-violence.

International Day of Non-Violence 2020 is observed on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, who was a great leader of the Indian independence movement.