Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV)
Context: Recently, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) unveiled the logo, theme and official website for the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in New Delhi.
More on the News
- India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on 31 May 2026 in New Delhi in collaboration with the African Union Commission.
- The Summit will be held under the theme “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation”, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the India-Africa partnership.
About India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)
- The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is a premier platform for high-level engagement between India and African countries, launched in 2008.
- It is held periodically to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, capacity building, technology, and development partnership.
- So far, three summits have been held:
- IAFS-I (2008, New Delhi)
- IAFS-II (2011, Addis Ababa)
- IAFS-III (2015, New Delhi) (largest, with participation of all 54 African countries)
- The summit operates on the principles of South-South cooperation, mutual respect, and demand-driven development partnership.
Significance of India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)
- Strengthening South–South Cooperation: IAFS serves as a key platform for promoting South–South cooperation, based on mutual respect, equality, and shared developmental priorities between India and African nations.
- Enhancing Strategic Engagement: The summit strengthens India’s strategic presence in Africa, particularly in the context of growing global competition in the region.
- People-to-People and Capacity Building Focus: Through initiatives like scholarships, training programmes, and skill development, IAFS enhances human resource development and long-term institutional ties.
- Alignment of Development Visions: The partnership aligns India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” with Africa’s Agenda 2063, promoting sustainable development.
Project DANTAK of BRO Celebrates 66th Raising Day
Context: Project DANTAK, a flagship overseas project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), celebrated its 66th Raising Day in Bhutan.
About Project DANTAK
- Project DANTAK was established in 1961 as a special initiative of India to support Bhutan’s infrastructure development.
- It is the oldest overseas project of BRO, headquartered at Deothang (Bhutan).
- It is responsible for constructing and maintaining over 1,500 km of roads and several key infrastructure projects in Bhutan, including Bhutan’s East–West Highway.
- It plays a crucial role in strengthening strategic and economic ties between India and Bhutan, especially in border and remote regions.
- Over the years, it has contributed to capacity building and employment generation for local communities in Bhutan.
About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
- The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was established in 1960 to develop and maintain infrastructure in border and remote areas of India.
- Motto: “Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam” (Everything achievable through hard work).
- It operates under the Ministry of Defence and plays a key role in enhancing connectivity for defence preparedness and socio-economic development.
- BRO undertakes projects not only in India but also in neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, reflecting India’s regional outreach.
- It is known for executing projects in challenging terrains, including high-altitude regions, deserts, and dense forests.
Goldman Environmental Prize 2026
Context: The Goldman Environmental Prize 2026, often referred to as the “Green Nobel Prize”, was awarded to six grassroots environmental activists from different regions of the world.
Awardees and their Work
- Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia): Led community resistance against hydraulic fracturing (fracking) projects along the Magdalena River, contributing to their suspension.
- Sarah Finch (United Kingdom): Secured a landmark Supreme Court ruling requiring fossil fuel projects to account for their full climate impact, reshaping environmental law.
- Alannah Acaq Hurley (United States): Led a coalition that stopped the Pebble Mine project, protecting vast salmon ecosystems in Alaska.
- Borim Kim (South Korea): Won Asia’s first youth-led constitutional climate case, compelling stronger emissions reduction targets.
- Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea): Forced mining giant Rio Tinto to accept responsibility for environmental damage from the Panguna mine.
- Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria): Led community action to protect endangered bat habitats and rainforest ecosystems from wildfires.
About Goldman Environmental Prize
- The Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the “Green Nobel”, is the world’s largest award for grassroots environmental activists and is administered by the Goldman Environmental Foundation.
- Philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman founded the prize in 1989 to highlight the international nature of environmental problems and inspire global action through individual leadership.
- The prize annually recognises one grassroots environmental leader from each of six continental regions—Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South & Central America, and Islands & Island Nations.
- The winners are selected by an international jury and awarded with $200,000 USD each.
Extreme Heat Threatens Global Food Systems
Context: A joint report titled “Extreme Heat and Agriculture” released by the FAO and the WMO warns that rising temperatures are posing a serious threat to global agriculture and rural livelihoods.
Key Findings of the Report
- Extreme heat is described as a “risk multiplier”, worsening droughts, water stress, wildfires, and pest outbreaks, thereby intensifying agricultural vulnerability.
- In hot regions such as South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Latin America, the number of days too hot for safe farm work could rise to ~250 days per year by the end of the century.
- Agricultural workers are among the most vulnerable, with extreme heat already causing massive loss of labour productivity and working hours globally.
- The report notes that crop yields decline beyond ~30°C, while various livestock experience heat stress above ~25°C, affecting food production systems.
- Over 1 billion people dependent on agrifood systems are at risk due to increasing heat stress and ecosystem disruption.
About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- FAO is a specialised UN agency, established in 1945 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy.
- It has 194 member states, along with the European Union as a member organization.
- FAO works to eliminate hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure food security through policy support, technical assistance, and research.
- It plays a key role in global agricultural statistics, food monitoring, and sustainable farming practices.
- Important Reports/Indices:
- State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI)
- State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA)
- Food Price Index (FFPI)
- Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA)
About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It provides early warning systems, climate services, and disaster risk reduction support globally.
- Important Reports/Initiatives:
- State of the Global Climate Report
- Greenhouse Gas Bulletin
- Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update