Seabed 2030 project was launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in June 2017.
It is a collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
It aims to bring together all available bathymetric data (depth and shape of the ocean floor) to create a map of the world ocean floor by 2030 and make it available to all.
The bathymetric data is fundamental for understanding ocean circulation, tides, tsunami forecasting, fishing resources, underwater geo-hazards, cable and pipeline routing, mineral extraction, oil and gas exploration.
The project is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
It comprises a global center and 4 regional centers ( Arctic and North Pacific center, Atlantic and Indian Ocean center, South and West Pacific center and Southern Ocean center).
GEBCO
It is an international group of mapping experts developing a range of bathymetric data sets and data products.
It operates under the joint auspices of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
IHO is an intergovernmental organization, established in 1921 to support safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment.
Its secretariat is in Monaco, which coordinates IHO’s programmes.
Click here to know about Intergovernmental Ocenaographic commission.
FAO Council
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) was established in 1945 with the objective of eliminating hunger and improving nutrition standards by increasing agricultural productivity.
Its secretariat is in Rome, Italy.
Recent Developments - The 160th session of the FAO Council is currently underway in Rome.
It has approved India’s membership to the Executive Board of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for 2020 and 2021.
It also approved India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023.
The international endorsement comes in the backdrop of India celebrating 2018 as the National Year of Millets.
WFP – It was established in 1961 as an experiment to provide food aid through the UN system.
It is a member of the United Nations Development Group.
Global Hackathon on Artificial Intelligence
NITI Aayog in partnership with Singapore based Artificial Intelligence (AI) start up going to launch “AI 4 All Global Hackathon”.
Its objective is to promote awareness and develop solutions to address challenges in AI algorithms and not compromising data privacy.
Sattriya Dance
Nritya Parva - Sattriya Dance festival is being organised every year to mark the day of recognition of sattriya dance as a classical dance in 2000.
The dance form was introduced in the 15th century A.D by the great Vaishnava saint – Sankaradeva.
The word Sattriya is derived from ‘Sattra’, the place of its birth.
It was once a domain of male monks at the sattras, now it is performed by both men and women.
It is governed by strictly laid down principles in respect of hastamudras, footworks, aharyas, music etc
The costumes are usually made of pat - a silk produced in Assam which is derived from the mulberry plant and woven with intricate local motifs.
Sankaradeva – He was a poet, a playwright, a social and religious reformer.
His contributions include theatrical performance Ankia Naat, sattriya dance and a form of music called Borgeet, which is sung during the performance of Sattriya.
He founded “Ekasarana Dharma” – a neo-vaishnavite movement, resulted in an assembly of followers.
50/50 milestone
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recently said that by the end of 2018, world will surpass the 50/50 milestone for internet use.
It means that for the first time, more than half of the global population will be using internet by the end of 2018.
This represents an important step towards a more inclusive global information society.
According to ITU, the world’s richest countries have been showing slow and steady growth in Internet use, from 51% in 2005 to 80% now.
The development is more dramatic in developing countries where 45% people are currently online, compared to just 7.7% in 2005.
