• Mission Purvodaya will drive eastern India towards self-reliance and contribute to making of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, says Shri Dharmendra Pradhan at AGM of Merchants Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mission Purvodaya

• The programme is aimed at accelerated development of eastern India through establishment of integrated steel hub.
• Through this programme, the government aims to transform logistics and utilities infrastructure which would change the socio-economic landscape in the eastern India.
• The steps, under mission, also include growth of steel industry along with employment opportunities across the entire value chain.

• The Government of India, the Government of Meghalaya and the World Bank has recently signed a $120 million project to improve and modernise the transport sector of state of Meghalaya.
• This will help Meghalaya to harness its vast growth potential for high-value agriculture and tourism.
• The project will improve about 300 km of strategic road segments and stand-alone bridges by using innovative, climate resilient, and nature-based solutions.
• It will also support innovative solutions such as precast bridges to reduce both time and cost of construction.
• This operation will also support state government's “Restart Meghalaya Mission” to revive and boost development activities affected due to COVID-19 pandemic.
• It will help restore transport services and generate direct employment of about 8 million person days.
• The $120 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) has a maturity of 14 years including a grace period of 6 years.

• Energy Technology Perspectives 2020, a new study of International Energy Agency (IEA) which focusses on the technology needs and opportunities for reaching international climate and sustainable energy goals was virtually launched recently.
• During the launch, Executive Director of IEA, Mr. Fatih Birol said that India has moved to the Centre stage of international Energy Affairs and is a role model for other major emerging economies.
• He also praised the Indian government for its efforts in providing clean energy to millions by way of schemes like Ujjawala and Ujala.
• The report lays stress, among other things, especially on how Governments have an outsized role to play in supporting transitions towards low emissions by way of effective policy toolkits towards tackling emissions from existing infrastructure and technologies ,strengthening markets for technologies at an early stage of adoption ,developing and upgrading infrastructure that enables technology deployment ,boosting support for research, development and demonstration and expanding international technology collaboration.

• Saudi Arabia has recently joined the G20 Troika.

G20 Troika

• It is a three-member country committee chaired by current summit presidency.
• It was established to ensure that previous, current and subsequent G20 presidencies work hand-in-hand to achieve consistency and continuity of the group’s agenda.
• India will enter the G-20 troika, along with Saudi Arabia, when Italy takes over the G- 20 Presidency in December 2021. 
• India will be the host country of G-20 to be held in 2022.

INTACH is pushing to get recognition of a UNESCO Global Geo Park for Visakhapatnam consisting of:

1. Erra Matti Dibbalu (red sand dunes),
2. Natural rock formations at Mangamaripeta,
3. Million-years-old Borra Caves,
4. Volcanic ash deposits in Araku Valley.

UNESCO Global Geoparks

• They are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
• A UNESCO Global Geopark uses its geological heritage, in connection with all other aspects of the area’s natural and cultural heritage, to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues.
• A UNESCO Global Geopark is given this designation for a period of four years after which the functioning and quality of each UNESCO Global Geopark is thoroughly re-examined during a revalidation process.
• UNESCO Global Geopark status does not imply restrictions on any economic activity inside a UNESCO Global Geopark where that activity complies with indigenous, local, regional and/or national legislation.
• UNESCO Global Geoparks give local people a sense of pride in their region and strengthen their identification with the area.
• India does not have any UNESCO Global Geo Park as of now.