25 Jul 2023: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

C. GS 3 Related

Category: DISASTER MANAGEMENT

1. A big step in reducing the risk of disasters

Syllabus: Disaster Management (Laws, Acts, etc.)

Mains: Policies and measures for disaster risk reduction, recent developments in disaster management, laws and acts related to disaster management.

Prelims: About G20, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and Disaster Risk Reduction

Context:

The world faces increasing disasters due to climate change. India’s G20 presidency prioritises disaster risk reduction, aiming for concrete actions to protect lives and economies.

The Need for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Disasters around the world are becoming more frequent, including heatwaves, forest fires, floods, and pandemics like COVID-19.
• Countries have historically focused on response rather than prevention, leading to significant financial burden and loss of life.
• The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 aims to reduce disaster risks and losses globally.

India’s Initiative at G20

• India has recognized the importance of disaster risk reduction and prioritised it during its G20 presidency.
• The establishment of the first G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group demonstrates India’s commitment to addressing disaster risks.
• G20 countries represent a significant portion of the global GDP and population, making them crucial in shaping disaster risk-informed decision-making.

Priorities of G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group

• The G20 Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group has identified priorities to address disaster risks.
• Early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and financing for disaster risk reduction are key areas of focus.

Expanding Early Warning Systems

• Inclusive and multi-hazard early warning systems are effective in reducing disaster deaths and economic losses.
• Adoption of disruptive technologies can improve forecasting and enhance early warning capabilities.
• The UN Secretary General’s Early Warnings for All Initiative aims to achieve universal coverage by the end of 2027.

Enhancing Resilient Infrastructure

• Countries must assess and enhance the resilience of critical infrastructure to withstand climate and disaster risks.
• Resilient infrastructure is essential for recovery during crises and supports sustainable development outcomes.
• The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, launched by India and the UN, promotes policy development and capacity support for disaster-resilient infrastructure.

Transforming Risk Reduction Plans into Concrete Actions

• A new approach to financing disaster risk reduction is needed, involving finance and economy ministries and the private sector.
• G20 nations like Indonesia and India have used risk metrics to allocate resources for disaster risk reduction at sub-national and local levels.
• Scaling up ecosystem-based approaches and enhancing response capacities will be crucial in future G20 presidencies.

Also read: G20 and Disaster Risk Mitigation Strategies

Nut Graf: India’s G20 presidency emphasises disaster risk reduction, with a focus on early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and innovative financing to protect people and promote sustainable development. The G20’s collaborative efforts could significantly reduce disaster losses by 2030.

E. Editorials

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. ASEAN, a persistence with dialogue, on a trodden path

Syllabus: GS-2, Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting  India’s interests.

Mains: 56th Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) of ASEAN and the Role of ASEAN in Global Politics

Context:

The 56th Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2023.

56th Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) of ASEAN – Vision and Challenges

• ASEAN has been referred to as “the Epicentrum of Growth” by the group’s current chair, Indonesia. 
• The three interconnected dimensions of ASEAN’s vision are as follows: 
  • Creating a political community that guarantees regional peace and a just, democratic, and peaceful environment;
  • an economic community committed to establishing a regional economy that is related to and well integrated into the global economy; and
  • a sociocultural community to improve the region’s sustainability and the quality of life for its people.

Significance of ASEAN

• Two essential components that support ASEAN’s unity and centrality are necessary for managing regional and global dynamics. 
  • It should adhere to the ASEAN Charter in order to uphold its legitimacy, and it should also maintain control while managing regional dynamics. 
  • ASEAN’s internal conflicts over problems like Myanmar are coming to light in the media. 

Issues associated with ASEAN

• The tense relationship between the United States and China puts ASEAN’s ambitions to dominate the area and sets its agenda in jeopardy.
• Although ASEAN and China have advocated for the early adoption of a meaningful and effective code of conduct—they did so again this year—they are happy to leave the issue unresolved. 
• Even while the US has recently made efforts to rekindle constructive conversations through high-level visits, ASEAN continues to watch helplessly as the bitter dispute between the US and Chinese governments continues. 
• ASEAN likes to promote the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), citing its concern over “the escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.” Despite the AOIP’s endorsement being reiterated by ASEAN partners, concerns persist about how it would be implemented.

ASEAN and India’s Role

• The importance of the ASEAN meetings to India becomes clear when one considers that the Indian Ministry of External Affairs prefers to represent India at the post-ministerial conference and other regional discussions. 
• The External Affairs Minister emphasised the overlap between the AOIP and India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and explicitly emphasised the necessity of a “strong and unified” ASEAN in the developing Indo-Pacific dynamic. 
• He urged that the two sides cooperate in “newer areas like the cyber, financial, and maritime security domains” in order to strengthen the entire strategic partnership between India and ASEAN.
• Even while it seemed like ASEAN did not make much headway and did not break any new ground, its persistence in dialogue—both internally and externally—kept geopolitical tensions from increasing.
•  Jakarta will host the next ASEAN summit in 2023. This should provide further insight on how to approach the issues the region is facing.

Conclusion

The ASEAN 56th FMM is the best gauge for monitoring Asia’s current trends. An in-depth examination of the various outcome documents reveals ASEAN’s valiant efforts to navigate the transformative shifts of the last ten years, including the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects, the economic downturn, the conflict in Ukraine, climate change, and, most importantly, the confrontation akin to the Cold War between the United States and China. 

Nut Graf: ASEAN’s extensive institutional architecture has become an inclusive platform that gathers governments from near and far, as well as all significant players involved in creating the strategic contestation in a broad region ranging from East Africa to the South Pacific.