In News:

The first General Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held in New Delhi, marking a significant moment in global biodiversity governance. Chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, who was unanimously elected President of the IBCA, the event underscored India’s leadership in international wildlife conservation diplomacy.

What is IBCA?

• The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a multinational initiative launched by India in March 2024 to conserve the world’s seven major big cat species—Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma—through collective action, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.
• It is coordinated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• The Alliance was conceptualized following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger in April 2023.

Objectives of IBCA

• Promote global collaboration for the protection and conservation of big cats.
• Replicate successful conservation practices across member nations.
• Create a common pool of financial, technical, and institutional resources.
• Address gaps in capacity building, financing, and data sharing.
• Link conservation efforts with livelihood enhancement and climate resilience in big cat habitats.
• Strengthen efforts against poaching and illegal wildlife trade through joint surveillance and data exchange.

Membership

• 95 Range Countries (where the species naturally occur) are eligible to join.
• By September 2024, 25 countries including Bangladesh, Nigeria, Peru, and Ecuador had joined.
• Membership is open to all UN member states through a Note Verbale.
• The IBCA attained legal status after five countries—Nicaragua, Eswatini, India, Somalia, and Liberia—signed the Framework Agreement.

Key Functions of IBCA

• Shared Repository: Compilation of proven conservation strategies for scalable, science-based solutions.
• Training and Capacity Building: Organizes technical workshops and institutional exchanges.
• Scientific and Policy Support: Funds research, drives policy reforms, and raises awareness.
• Technological Innovation: Introduces advanced tools to tackle habitat degradation and prey base decline.
• Sustainable Livelihoods: Integrates conservation with community-based development models.
• Anti-Poaching Collaboration: Facilitates real-time data sharing and joint actions against wildlife trafficking.

Highlights from the 2025 General Assembly

• Venue: New Delhi, India
• Participating Nations: Ministerial delegations from nine countries including Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, Republic of Guinea, Eswatini, and India.
• Institutional Milestones:
  • India ratified as the permanent headquarters of IBCA.
  • The Headquarters Agreement was formally ratified, enabling the establishment of IBCA offices in India.
• Leadership: Bhupender Yadav, India’s Environment Minister, was elected as the first President of IBCA.
• Funding Commitment: India pledged ?150 crore (2023–28) to support IBCA’s establishment, coordination, and conservation activities.

Significance for India and the Global South

• Reinforces India’s role as a conservation leader and soft power in environmental diplomacy.
• Positions India as the epicentre for global big cat conservation, akin to its leadership in tiger conservation under Project Tiger.
• Encourages South-South cooperation in biodiversity preservation.
• Aligns with global commitments like CBD, CITES, and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

In News:

The Bonn Climate Change Conference 2025 began in Bonn, Germany, with over 5,000 delegates from governments, international organisations, civil society, and scientific bodies. It serves as a crucial platform for setting the technical and political groundwork ahead of COP29.

What is the Bonn Climate Conference?

• A mid-year climate summit held annually under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
• Also referred to as the Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (SBs).
• First held in 1995, after the UNFCCC was signed in 1992.
• Hosted in: Bonn, Germany (home of the UNFCCC headquarters).
• Organised by: The UNFCCC Secretariat.

Main Objectives

• Prepare for COP Summits: Provides a platform for technical discussions that shape the COP agenda (COP29 in this case).
• Review of Commitments: Tracks implementation of earlier climate agreements like the Paris Agreement.
• Science–Policy Integration: Connects IPCC research with policymaking processes.
• Support for Developing Nations: Discusses climate finance and technology transfer mechanisms.
• Inclusive Participation: Engages Indigenous communities, NGOs, experts, and private stakeholders.

Subsidiary Bodies of the UNFCCC

• SBI (Subsidiary Body for Implementation):
  • Reviews how climate commitments are implemented.
  • Facilitates support for developing countries.
• SBSTA (Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice):
  • Provides scientific guidance.
  • Bridges IPCC reports with UNFCCC decision-making.

Key Focus in 2025

Global Goal on Adaptation (GGA)

• Originally mentioned in the Paris Agreement (2015).
• Received major progress only during COP28 (Dubai).
• Aim: Establish a global, measurable, and equitable adaptation framework, similar to the 1.5°C target for mitigation.
• Bonn 2025 focuses on operationalising this goal, especially for climate-vulnerable nations.

Importance of the Bonn Conference

• Pre-COP Platform: Decisions taken here set the tone and agenda for COP summits.
• Technical + Political Dialogue: Encourages cooperation between scientists, policymakers, and climate negotiators.
• Influences Global Climate Action: Outcomes impact the direction of global climate governance.

In News:

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has released its 2025 Yearbook, detailing global nuclear trends, armament expansions, and security concerns. The report highlights growing nuclear arsenals and modernisation efforts by all nine nuclear-armed states, including India, which increased its nuclear warhead stockpile in 2024.

India’s Nuclear Arsenal: Key Facts

• Warhead Count (Jan 2025): 180 (up from 172 in Jan 2024)
• India is expanding its nuclear delivery systems, including canisterised missiles that may carry mated or multiple warheads.
• India continues to invest in new-generation weapons and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Pakistan and China: Regional Dynamics

• Pakistan: Maintains ~170 warheads; developing new delivery systems and accumulating fissile material.
• China:
  • Warheads (2025): 600 (24 deployed).
  • Adding ~100 warheads annually since 2023.
  • Constructing ~350 new ICBM silos.
  • Expected to reach 1,000 warheads by 2032–33, possibly 1,500 by 2035.

Global Nuclear Overview (2025)

• Total nuclear warheads: 12,241
• Military stockpiles (available for use): 9,614
• Deployed warheads (with missiles/aircraft): 3,912
• High-alert warheads (on ballistic missiles): ~2,100 (mostly U.S. & Russia)

Country-wise Inventory Snapshot (2025):

• USA: 5,177 (1,770 deployed, 1,930 stored)
• Russia: 5,459 (1,718 deployed, 2,591 stored)
• China: 600
• India: 180
• Pakistan: 170
• Others: UK, France, Israel, North Korea

Emerging Concerns

• Arms Control Breakdown:
  • No major nuclear power is showing full commitment to disarmament.
  • New START Treaty (USA-Russia) expires in Feb 2026; no successor yet in sight.
  • Potential for increase in deployed strategic warheads post-2026.
• Rising Crisis Risks:
  • 2025 saw India-Pakistan tensions escalate to limited armed conflict.
  • Strikes on nuclear-related military sites and disinformation increased nuclear risk.
• New Technologies & Doctrines:
  • Countries are integrating MIRVs, canisterisation, and AI-based command systems.
  • China may now keep warheads mounted during peacetime, like U.S. and Russia.

Military Spending and Arms Trade (2024)

• Global defence spending: $2.7 trillion (↑ 9.4%)
• Top military spenders:
  • USA: $997 billion
  • China: $314 billion
• Top arms importers: Ukraine, India, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
• Top arms exporters:
  • USA: 43%
  • France: 9.6%
  • Russia: 7.8%

About SIPRI

• Founded: 1966, Stockholm, Sweden
• Focus: Independent research on conflict, arms control, nuclear disarmament, and security.
• Funded by: Swedish Parliament (core grant), plus support from global research bodies.

In News:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his five-day, three-nation tour with a historic visit to Cyprus—the first by an Indian PM in over 20 years. His visit focused on strengthening economic ties and pushing forward the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Key Highlights of the Visit

• India-EU FTA Commitment: PM Modi announced that India and the EU are committed to concluding a Free Trade Agreement by the end of 2025. Negotiations have gained momentum.
• India–Cyprus Economic Engagement:
  • Addressed the India-Cyprus CEO Forum in Limassol, pitching India as a hub for digital innovation and infrastructure.
  • Highlighted India’s digital growth: Over 50% of global digital transactions via UPI originate from India. Talks are ongoing to onboard Cyprus into UPI.
  • Announced a new shipbuilding policy and noted an annual investment of USD 100 billion in infrastructure.
  • Supported the launch of the India–Cyprus–Greece Business and Investment Council, promoting trilateral cooperation.
  • Welcomed the NSE–Cyprus Stock Exchange partnership in GIFT City, Gujarat.
• Startup and Innovation Focus: Emphasised India's vibrant startup ecosystem with over 1 lakh startups offering innovative, scalable solutions.

About Cyprus – Key Facts for Prelims

• Location: Eurasian island in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea, south of Turkey and southeast of Greece.
• Capital: Nicosia
• Area: 9,251 sq. km (3rd largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily and Sardinia)
• Climate: Mediterranean – dry summers and wet winters
• Highest Point: Mount Olympus (1,952 m)

Geopolitical Context

• Divided Island:
  • Since 1974, Cyprus has been partitioned between a Turkish-controlled north and a Greek-Cypriot-controlled south.
  • Only Turkey recognises Northern Cyprus as an independent state.
  • A UN-patrolled Green Line separates the two regions.
• Political System: Presidential republic – the President is both head of state and government.
• Official Languages: Greek and Turkish
• EU Membership: Joined the European Union on May 1, 2004
• Major Cities: Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta, Paphos

In News:

Lucknow has officially submitted its nomination to be recognised as a “City of Gastronomy” under the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN), aiming to join Hyderabad as the only other Indian city to hold this title in the gastronomy category.

About the UCCN

• Established: 2004
• Purpose: To promote international cooperation among cities that use creativity as a key element for sustainable urban development.
• Focus Areas: Literature, Music, Crafts & Folk Arts, Design, Film, Media Arts, and Gastronomy.
• Key Goals:
  • Leverage the creative economy for sustainable development.
  • Encourage cultural diversity and resilience against urban challenges like climate change and inequality.
  • Promote collaboration across public, private, and civil society sectors.

UCCN and Sustainable Development

• UCCN supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by positioning culture and creativity at the heart of local development policies and planning.
• Member cities are expected to create innovation hubs, support local artists, and preserve cultural heritage.

India and the UCCN

As of 2023, 10 Indian cities are part of the network:

• Hyderabad – Gastronomy
• Jaipur – Crafts and Folk Arts
• Varanasi – Music
• Chennai – Music
• Mumbai – Film
• Srinagar – Crafts and Folk Arts
• Kozhikode – Literature
• Gwalior – Music (Recent entries include Kozhikode and Gwalior)

Lucknow’s Nomination: Highlights

• Nominated Title: City of Gastronomy
• Coordinated by: Department of Tourism and Culture, Lucknow
• Culinary Heritage: Awadhi cuisine, including dishes like nihari, kebabs, biryani, khasta, kulfi, jalebi, and puri-sabzi.
• Cultural Value: The city’s food is not just a tradition but a living culinary ecosystem, passed down through generations and practiced by diverse communities.
• Dossier Preparation: By renowned heritage conservationist Abha Narain Lambah.
• Verification: A field visit by UNESCO is expected as part of the evaluation process.

Global Cities of Gastronomy (Examples)

• Alba (Italy)
• Arequipa (Peru)
• Bergen (Norway)
• Belem (Brazil)
• Bendigo (Australia)

These cities, like Hyderabad, are recognised for their distinctive and sustainable culinary traditions.