PM Modi proposes G 20 membership for African Union (GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to the leaders of the G-20 nations proposing that the African Union be given full membership of the grouping at its upcoming summit in India.
Details:
- The Prime Minister has taken a “bold step” to enhance Africa’s voice on the international stage and in shaping the future of “our shared world”.
- This will be a right step towards a just, fair, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance.
About African Union (AU):
- The African Union (AU) is a continental body consisting of 55 member states.
- The African Union is considered the top-most grouping representing the voice of Africa. It has been working towards ensuring the progress and economic growth of the African nations.
- It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity.
Way Forward:
- India is hosting the G-20 summit in Delhi in September 2023.
Monkeypox outbreaks in Asia Pacific region
(GS Paper 2, Health)
Why in news?
- Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Mpox, the global health emergency over.
- Even though cumulative cases across the world continue to decline, there has been an increase in reported cases from some countries, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Region.
What is monkeypox?
- Monkeypox, or Mpox, is a viral disease that primarily spread to the human population through zoonotic spillovers, with rodents and primates serving as potential reservoirs.
- Mpox can be transmitted between humans through close contact and exposure to infected bodily fluids or lesions.
- Sexual contact is also believed to contribute to the spread of the disease particularly among certain demographics.
- Mpox was a rare infection that was predominantly restricted to some countries in Africa until early 2022, when a rise in cases across the globe where the disease was not endemic, particularly in Europe and North America.
- According to WHO, over 87,000 cases of Mpox have been reported to date since January 2022, including 146 deaths.
Global situation update:
- In recent weeks, overall global cases of Mpox have been decreasing, but some regions are seeing an increase in reported cases. In the European region, new cases have been reported from Spain and the U.K.
- The global situation of Mpox is far from being resolved, with an increasing number of reports from new countries. Significant impacts observed in Southeast Asia and Western Pacific region.
- In June 2023, China reported four cases of Mpox raising concerns about the spread of the disease in the country. Two cases were also reported from Sri Lanka, in patients who had a travel history to Dubai.
- Mpox being reported from newer territories is worrisome as the disease is potentially expanding its reach through an undetected spread, posing new challenges in its containment efforts.
Cause for concern:
- The lack of a corresponding surge in reported cases suggests that there may be challenges in accurately capturing and documenting cases in the Middle East, suggesting that there may be challenges in detecting cases in the region.
- Meanwhile, the African region has also experienced a surge in cases, notably in Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria.
- Genomic surveillance of the monkeypox pathogen allows for contact tracing and monitoring of its evolution. There is a noticeable lack of genomic data from developing countries, particularly in Asia.
Way Forward:
- Moving forward from the global pandemic, it is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared for future challenges, taking proactive measures to curb infections and protect vulnerable populations.
