PIB 24th February 2021

Contents

1. International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Symposium
2. India hosts BRICS Meeting

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON LARGE DAMS (ICOLD) SYMPOSIUM

Context:

The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins was inaugurated by the Minister for Jal Shakti.

Relevance:

GS-II: International Relations (International Bodies, Summits and Conferences), GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure (Dams)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)
2. About the recent ICOLD Symposium
3. Recently in news: UN Report on Ageing dams in India

International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD)

• The International Commission on Large Dams, or ICOLD, is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to the sharing of professional information and knowledge of the design, construction, maintenance, and impact of large dams.
• It consists of 100-member national committees and was founded in 1928 and has its central office in Paris, France.

ICOLD’s definition of Large Dams

For the purpose of inclusion in the World Register of Dams, a large dam is defined as any dam above 15 metres in height (measured from the lowest point of foundation to top of dam) or any dam between 10 and 15 metres in height which meets at least one of the following conditions:

1. the crest length is not less than 500 metres;
2. the capacity of the reservoir formed by the dam is not less than one million cubic metres;
3. the maximum flood discharge dealt with by the dam is not less than 2000 cubic metres per second;
4. the dam had especially difficult foundation problems;
5. the dam is of unusual design.

About the recent ICOLD Symposium

• The Symposium on Sustainable Development of Dams & River Basins is being organized by the International Commission on Large Dams (INCOLD) in association with the Dam Rehabilitation Improvement Project (DRIP), Central Water Commission (CWC) and National Hydrology Project (NHP).
• The event will be organized at New Delhi as Hybrid event starting from 24^th February to 27th February 2021.
• The event will be participated by more than 300 delegates from India and abroad.
• The symposium is being organized with the objective of providing an opportunity to Indian Dam Engineering Professionals and Agencies to share their experiences, ideas and latest developments.
• With the help of this platform, they will be sharing new materials and construction technologies, best engineering practices, advancement in investigation techniques, dam safety issues etc.
• The event will also provide opportunity to network with the world-renowned dam experts from across the world who are involved in Dam Construction, management, operation and maintenance.

Recently in news: UN Report on Ageing dams in India

Click Here to read more about the UN Report on Ageing dams in India and Issues with Ageing Dams in India as well as Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP).

-Source: PIB

INDIA HOSTS BRICS MEETING

Context:

India hosted a Meeting of BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies virtually which included BRICS Finance and Central Bank Deputies of Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa.

Relevance:

GS-II: International Relations (International groupings)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What is BRICS?
2. Contribution of BRICS to global growth
3. China extends support to India’s BRICS Chairmanship 2021

What is BRICS?

• BRICS is the international grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• This was set up as a move towards greater multi­polarity; hence the spread across three continents and both hemispheres.
• In 2001, the British Economist Jim O’Neill coined the term BRIC to describe the four emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
• It comprises 42% of the world’s population, has 23% of the global GDP and around 17% of the world trade.
• The grouping was formalised during the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers in 2006.
• South Africa was invited to join BRIC in December 2010, after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS.
• The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
• The BRICS Leaders’ Summit is convened annually.
• India has assumed the Chairmanship of BRICS for 2021 and will be hosting this year’s summit.

Contribution of BRICS to global growth

• In terms of GDP, China occupies the second position; India the fifth; Brazil the ninth; Russia the 11th; and South Africa the 35th.
• In terms of growth rates, China grew at 6%; India at 4.5%, Russia 1.7%, Brazil 1.2% and South Africa 0.1%.

Achievements of BRICS

• The main achievement of BRICS is the New Development Bank, with each country contributing equally to its equity
• The bank has so far financed over 40 projects at a cost of $12 billion
• The BRICS countries are also developing a joint payments mechanism to reduce foreign trade settlements in U.S. dollars
• An offshoot of the group, dealing with climate change, is BASIC (BRICS without Russia), which met at the Spain conference in December 2019 and reiterated its support to the Paris Agreement

China extends support to India’s BRICS Chairmanship 2021

• China had stated on February 2021 that they support India for hosting the BRICS Summit 2021 and expressed interest in working with India to strengthen the cooperation among the five-member group of emerging economies of which both China and India are critical members.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said BRICS had become an influential grouping and Beijing supported New Delhi’s efforts as host.
• Chinese Foreign Ministry also stated that China attaches great importance to the BRICS mechanism and it supports the Indian side in hosting the meeting and is willing to work with India and other BRICS countries in expanding cooperation on economy, politics and people-to-people exchanges.
• The statement comes a day after India and China “positively appraised” the smooth completion of disengagement of frontline troops in the Pangong Lake area.

-Source: PIB