22-Apr-2022: Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman attends FATF Ministerial Meeting in Washington D.C.
Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman attended the FATF Ministerial Meeting in Washington D.C. on 21st April 2022, conducted along-side the 2022 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This meeting focussed on Ministers’ providing strategic direction, by endorsing the FATF’s strategic priorities for the years 2022-24 and reinforcing Ministers’ commitment to ensure suitable funding for the delivery of the strategic priorities which are Strengthening the FATF Global Network, FATF systems of Mutual Evaluations, Enhancing International Beneficial Ownership Transparency, Increasing Capabilities to more effectively recover Criminal assets, Leveraging Digital Transformation, Ensuring Sustainable Funding for FATF Strategic priorities.
During the Meeting, the Finance Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to fighting Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing and Proliferation Financing and acknowledged and appreciated FATF on their work on Beneficial Ownership Transparency, Asset Recovery, and the role of FATF Global network in safeguarding the global financial system.
Smt. Sitharaman extended support to the strategic priorities and said that India is committed to provide the necessary resources and support to FATF in its endeavour as a global alliance against money laundering, terrorist financing and financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
24-Dec-2019: FATF’s another 150 questions for Pakistan
Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has asked Pakistan more questions on the action it has taken against madrassas run by proscribed outfits.
The FATF has kept Pakistan on the Grey List until February 2020. In October, it had warned that Pakistan would be put on the Black List if it did not comply with the remaining 22 points in a list of 27 questions.
Pakistan is required to show effective implementation of targeted financial sanctions against all UN designated terrorists like Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Jaish-e-Muhammad founder Masood Azhar, and those acting for or on their behalf.
Pakistan has been under the FATF’s scanner since June 2018, when it was put on the Grey List for terror financing and money laundering risks, after an assessment of its financial system and law enforcement mechanisms. FATF and its partners such as the Asia Pacific Group (APG) are reviewing Pakistan’s processes, systems, and weaknesses on the basis of a standard matrix for anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) regime.
In June 2018, Pakistan gave a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and APG to strengthen its AML/CFT regime, and to address its strategic counter-terrorism financing-related deficiencies. Pakistan and the FATF then agreed on the monitoring of 27 indicators under a 10-point action plan, with specific deadlines.
The understanding was that the successful implementation of the action plan, and its physical verification by the APG, would lead the FATF to move Pakistan out of the Grey List. However, Islamabad managed to satisfy the global watchdog over just five of them.
After an extension of the deadline for compliance, on December 6, Pakistan submitted a report to the FATF containing answers to the remaining 22 questions. In response, the FATF’s Joint Group has now sent 150 questions to Pakistan, asking for clarifications, updates, and actions taken against the madrassas.
As of now, Pakistan must respond by January 8, 2020. And at the next FATF meeting in Beijing, Pakistan will have an opportunity to defend the points in the report. Pakistan will likely ask for another relaxation of the deadline, probably up to June 2020, pleading that the February deadline is too tight for it to ensure compliance with the remaining 22 action plans. If Pakistan is actually moved out of the Grey List, it will be placed on the Black List with Iran and North Korea.
15-Oct-2019: Pak on verge of strong action by FATF; likely to be put in 'Dark Grey' list
Pakistan is on the verge of strong action by the international terror financing watchdog FATF and the country may be put in the 'Dark Grey' list. Officials attending the ongoing plenary of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in Paris said, as per indications, Pakistan will be isolated by all members for not doing enough. Pakistan given its inadequate performance and has managed to pass in only 6 of the 27 items. The FATF will finalise its decision on Pakistan.
According to FATF rules, there is one essential stage between 'Grey' and 'Black' lists, referred to as 'Dark Grey'. Dark Grey means issuance of a strong warning, so that the country concerned gets one last chance to improve.
The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. Pakistan was placed on the Grey List by the Paris-based watchdog in June last year and was given a plan of action to complete it by October 2019, or face the risk of being placed on the black list with Iran and North Korea. If Pakistan continues with the 'grey list' or put in 'Dark Grey' list, it will be very difficult for the country to get financial aid from International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the European Union, making its financial condition more precarious.
23-Jun-2019: Saudi Arabia becomes first Arab country to be granted full FATF membership
Saudi Arabia has become the first Arab country to be granted full membership of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) following the group’s Annual General Meeting in Orlando, Florida. The Kingdom’s accession comes as the FATF celebrates its 30th anniversary of its first meeting held in Paris in 1989.
Saudi Arabia had been a founding member of the MENA arm of the group since November 2004, and its full membership comes after it was reported the Kingdom had made “tangible progress” and for its efforts in implementing the FATF’s guidelines.
The group is responsible for issuing international standards, policies and best practices to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and proliferation.
Saudi Arabia received an invitation from FATF at the beginning of 2015 to join as an “observer member” as the group hailed the Kingdom’s position at international and regional levels, as well as its efforts in combating money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation of arms.
With the Kingdom becoming a FATF member, the number of permanent members in the group is now 39, including the most influential countries in the world, such as the permanent members of the Security Council and most G-20 countries.
11-Jun-2019: Pak likely to stay on FATF grey list
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has given an all clear to Pakistan on only two of 27 action plans it was supposed to complete to get out of the grey list. A country is put on the grey list when it fails to curb terrorism financing and money laundering. In April, it had asked Pakistan to reassess the operation of banned terrorist outfits in the country.
Pakistan is likely to stay in the grey list for now. It was put on the list in June 2018. The coming FATF Plenary and Working Group meetings in Orlando, Florida, scheduled for June 16-21, would be crucial for Pakistan to get out of the grey list or falling into the black list and having serious economic repercussions. The country was given 15 months to clear out the terror camps or it may get blacklisted.
The review on the implementation of the FATF Action Plan held in February did not go well, which has increased pressure on Pakistan. The FATF currently comprises 36 members with voting powers and two regional organisations, representing most of the major financial centres in all parts of the globe. The FATF plenary placed Pakistan in the grey list after the country could not secure a minimum of three votes.
On May 3, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India will ask the FATF to put Pakistan on a blacklist of countries that fail to meet international standards in stopping financial crime.
In the past few weeks, Pakistan has shut down at least 13 key terror camps across the LoC. Terror training camps of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) have been shut down.
Pakistan has been on FATF’s grey list for terror financing since last June but this is not the first time the country is under watch. It was grey-listed from 2008 to 2010 and then from 2012 to 2015.
29-Jun-2018: Financial Action Task Force puts Pakistan on grey list
In a yet another blow to Pakistan at the global stage, the Financial Action Task Force has placed it on the grey list for failing to curb anti-terror financing. This was despite Islamabad submitting a 26-point action plan and launching a concerted diplomatic effort to avert the decision. The decision was taken at the global financial watchdog Financial Action Task Force's plenary session in Paris.
The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
The placement on the grey list could hurt Pakistan's economy as well as its international standing. Meanwhile, US has made it clear that it cannot turn blind eye to the protectors of terrorism. Visiting US Ambassador to UN Nikki Haley said that Trump Administration has send a strong message to Pakistan to act against terrorists operating from its soil.
22-Feb-2018: Pakistan remains on FATF grey list
Pakistan will remain on the Financial Action Task Force's grey list and its position on the list will be reviewed again later this year in June. The Financial Action Task Force is a global terror financing watchdog that had placed Pakistan on its 'grey list' and was asked to take steps to curb money laundering and terror financing.
India wanted Pakistan to be placed on the 'black list', a move that would negatively impact the Pakistan economy. The decision to keep Pakistan on the FATF grey list was taking during a plenary session of the watchdog in Paris.
The plenary session came days after 40 jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed in a suicide bombing carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the Pulwama terror attack, India stepped up its diplomatic game to isolate Pakistan internationally.
At the plenary session of the Financial Action Task Force, Pakistan was warned to stick to deadlines with respect to taking steps curbing terror financing. Pakistan's position and whether it should be placed on the blacklist is a matter that will be considered by the FATF again in June this year.
25-Jan-2017: RBI stops investments to ‘non-cooperative countries’
Reserve Bank has prohibited Indian entities from making direct investments in any entity located in ‘non co-operative countries and territories’, as identified by the inter-governmental body FATF.
The prohibition on investment is “in order to align” instructions under FEMA with the objectives of the FATF. At present, there is no restriction on an Indian entity with regard to the countries where it can undertake Overseas Direct Investment.
The principal objective of the Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories (NCCT) Initiative was to reduce the vulnerability of the financial system to money laundering by ensuring that all financial centres adopt and implement measures for the prevention, detection and punishment of money laundering according to internationally recognised standards.
7-Apr-2022: India welcomes the announcement by the IEA for collective oil stock release of 120 million barrels
Government of India welcomes the announcement by the International Energy Agency for collective oil stock release of 120 million barrels. Government of India has also taken note of the US Government's decision, late last month, to release 180 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserves, over the next 6 months, to calm rising global fuel prices.
In the interest of collaborating with like-minded countries on these positive initiatives, Government of India is examining what it can do to support these actions.
As a major consumer of energy, India has consistently espoused the importance of stable, affordable and accessible global energy markets. Government of India, therefore, hopes that these initiatives will bring equanimity to global energy markets.
27-Jan-2021: India signs Strategic Partnership Agreement with International Energy Agency (IEA)
The Framework for Strategic Partnership between the International Energy Agency (IEA) members and the Government of India was signed on 27th January, 2021 to strengthen mutual trust and cooperation & enhance global energy security, stability and sustainability. This partnership will lead to an extensive exchange of knowledge and would be a stepping stone towards India becoming a full member of the IEA.
The MoU was signed by Mr. Sanjiv Nandan Sahai, Secretary (Power) from the Indian side and Dr. Fatih Birol, IEA Executive Director from the IEA side.
The contents of the Strategic partnership will be jointly decided by the IEA Members and India, including a phased increase in benefits and responsibilities for India as an IEA Strategic partner, and building on existing areas of work within Association and the Clean Energy Transitions Programme (CETP), such as Energy Security, Clean & Sustainable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Enhancing petroleum storage capacity in India, Expansion of gas-based economy in India etc.
The IEA Secretariat will be responsible for implementation of the cooperative activities in India and for facilitating discussion between the IEA Members and India to further develop the Strategic Partnership.
The Government of India endeavours to take necessary steps to encourage and promote strategic and technical co-operation in the energy sector in the identified areas noted above, through the Framework Agreement.
28-Feb-2019: Cabinet approves joining of IEA Bioenergy TCP by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas as a Member
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, was apprised about Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India joining IEA Bioenergy TCP as its 25th member on 25th January, 2019. The other members are Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Commission.
International Energy Agency's Technology Collaboration Programme on Bioenergy (IEA Bioenergy TCP) is an international platform for co-operation among countries with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programmes in bioenergy research, development and deployment.
IEA Bioenergy TCP works under the framework of International Energy Agency (IEA) to which India has "Association" status since 30th March, 2017.
The primary goal of joining IEA Bioenergy TCP by Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) is to facilitate the market introduction of advanced biofuels with an aim to bring down emissions and reduce crude imports. IEA Bioenergy TCP also provides a platform for international collaboration and information exchange in bioenergy research, technology development, demonstration, and policy analysis with a focus on overcoming the environmental, institutional, technological, social, 'and market barriers to the near-and long-term deployment of bioenergy technologies.
The R&D work in IEA Bioenergy TCP is carried out within well-defined 3-years programmes called "Tasks". Each year the progress of the Tasks is evaluated and scrutinized and each 3 years the content of the Tasks is reformulated and new Tasks can be initiated. Technical persons from Public sector Oil Marketing companies will also be contributor in the Tasks participated by MoP&NG.
The benefits of participation in IEA Bioenergy TCP are shared costs and pooled technical resources. The duplication of efforts is avoided and national Research and Development capabilities are strengthened. There is an information exchange about best practices, network of researchers and linking research with practical implementation. Engagement with International Agencies will also apprise the Ministry of the developments taking place Worldwide in Biofuel sector, provide opportunity of personal interaction with innovators/ Researchers and help in bringing suitable policy ecosystem. In addition, after becoming member, India can participate in other related Tasks focusing on Biogas, Solid waste Management, Biorefining etc. which could be participated by relevant Ministries/ Departments/ Organizations of the Country.
31-Jan-2019: The Future of Rail report
Global demand for transport is growing fast. Given present trends, passenger and freight activity will more than double by 2050. Such growth is a token of social and economic progress, but it carries with it greater energy demand and increased CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollutants. A greater reliance on rail has the potential to cut that growth. In a world becoming ever more urbanised, rail travel is well matched to urban needs. High-speed rail can serve as an alternative to short-distance air travel, and conventional and freight rail can complement other transport modes to provide efficient mobility. This report discusses what can be done and how on a global scale, with a special focus on the needs and opportunities in India.
The transport sector is responsible for more than half of global oil demand and around one-quarter of global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. Therefore changes in transportation are fundamental to achieving energy transitions globally. Yet while rail is among the most energy efficient modes of transport for freight and passengers, it is often neglected in public debate.
The Future of Rail examines how the role of rail in global transport might be elevated as a means to reduce the energy use and environmental impacts associated with transport.
Rail is among the most energy efficient modes of transport for freight and passengers - while the rail sector carries 8% of the world’s passengers and 7% of global freight transport, it represents only 2% of total transport energy demand.
Today, three-quarters of passenger rail transport activity takes place on electric trains, which is an increase from 60% in 2000 - the rail sector is the only mode of transport that is widely electrified today. This reliance on electricity means that the rail sector is the most energy diverse mode of transport.
The regions with the highest share of electric train activity are Europe, Japan and Russia, while North and South America still rely heavily on diesel. Passenger rail is significantly more electrified than freight in almost all regions, and regions with higher reliance on urban rail and high-speed rail are those with the largest share of passenger-kilometres served by electricity.
Conventional rail covers medium- to long-distance journeys with a maximum speed under 250 kph and suburban train journeys.
Most conventional rail networks today are located in North America, Europe, China, Russia, India, and Japan. These regions make up about 90% of global passenger movements on conventional rail with India leading at 39%, followed by China at 27%, Japan at 11% and the European Union at 9%. However conventional rail has shown little change across these regions over the past decades.
In contrast, significant investments have been made in high-speed rail and metros. High-speed rail is defined as rail services over long distances between stations, operating at a maximum speed above 250 kph. Metro rail refers to high-frequency, high capacity urban services which are fully separated from traffic, often underground or elevated and light rail to tramways and other lower capacity, lower speed urban transport systems, most often at street level.
High-speed rail provides an important alternative to aviation while urban rail provides a solution to cities impacted by congestion and air pollution. Growth has been most notable in China, which has overtaken all other countries in terms of network length of both types within a single decade.
Freight rail activity has risen steadily over the past twenty years. It is defined as the transport of goods on dedicated freight trains.
Today movement of freight by rail is concentrated in China and the United States, each of which accounts for about one-quarter of global rail freight activity, and Russia, which accounts for one-fifth. Minerals, coal and agricultural products account for the bulk of total freight rail activity.
The future of rail will be determined by how it responds to both rising transport demand and rising pressure from competing transport modes.
Rising incomes and populations in developing and emerging economies, where cities are growing exponentially, are set to lead to strong demand for more efficient, faster and cleaner transportation transport, but the need for speed and flexibility tend to favour car ownership and air travel.
Rising incomes also drive demand growth in freight, where higher incomes, have sharply increased demand for rapid delivery of higher value and lighter goods. The rail sector has important advantages to exploit in competing for business, but this will require additional strategic investments in rail infrastructure, further efforts to improve commercial competitiveness, and technological innovation.
The Future of Rail outlines in a Base Scenario how the railway system and its energy needs are projected to evolve to 2050 on the basis of announced policies, regulations and projects.
A more ambitious High Rail Scenario rests on three main pillars: minimising costs per passenger-kilometre or tonne-kilometre moved, maximising revenues from rail systems, and ensuring that all forms of transport pay not only for the use of the infrastructure they need, but also for the adverse impacts they generate. This scenario shows the extent to which a significant shift of passengers and goods to rail transport could be achieved, highlighting environmental and financial implications and the policy instruments which might be deployed.
Total energy demand for the rail sector in 2050 is around 42% more than in the Base Scenario. Yet despite increases in activity, rail transport still accounts for only 4% of total transport energy demand in 2050. In both of the scenarios the rail sector experiences strong electrification, and therefore energy diversification.
Under the base scenario, rail transport becomes almost entirely electrified in all major countries and regions. The exception is North America, where it's projected that the dominance of freight diesel will continue.
Passenger rail activity increases in the High Rail Scenario to 15 trillion passenger-kilometres in 2050. Other public transport activities also increase, particularly travel by bus. This is in large part due to the development of transport systems that allow for better integration of rail services with other public transport options.
Total transport energy demand in the High Rail Scenario reaches 3300 Mtoe in 2050. Compared to the Base Scenario, this is a reduction of 565 Mtoe in energy demand by 2050. Out of this reduction, 510 Mtoe is oil — or approximately 10 million barrels per day.
Focus on India: India’s railway system has played a fundamental role in the country’s development, transporting people and goods throughout its vast territory, integrating markets and connecting communities.
Rail passenger traffic in India has increased by almost 200% since 2000 and freight traffic by 150%, yet latent demand for mobility in India remains huge. For example, on average, each Indian travels about 3 kilometres per day by privately owned road vehicle, compared to 17.5 kilometres in Europe. In fact, rail activity in India is set to grow more than any other country.
Today, the conventional rail system in India comprises a total route length of almost 68000 km, shared between passenger and freight transport. Metro systems exist in 10 Indian cities, with about 515 km of track in operation and an additional 620 km of metro rail under construction. A further 600 km of metro lines are planned for the next few years.
For now, India does not have any high-speed rail. However, in 2015 India and Japan signed an agreement to develop a high-speed rail line connecting the cities of Ahmedabad and Mumbai, to come into operation in 2023.
Seven other high-speed lines are currently under consideration. Once completed, they would connect the four cities that constitute the Golden Quadrilateral (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai) plus other intermediate cities.
8-Nov-2018: Cabinet apprised of India joining as Member of Advanced Motor Fuels Technology Collaboration Programme under International Energy Agency
The Union Cabinet has been apprised of India joining as Member of Advanced Motor Fuels Technology Collaboration Programme (AMF TCP)under International Energy Agency (IEA) on 9th May, 2018. AMF TCP works under the framework of International Energy Agency (IEA) to which India has "Association" status since 30th March, 2017.
Details: The primary goal of joining AMF TCP by Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas(MoPNG) is to facilitate the market introduction of Advanced motor fuels/ Alternate fuels with an aim to bring down emissions and achieve higher fuel efficiency in transport sector. AMF TCP also provides an opportunity for fuel analysis, identifying new/ alternate fuels for deployment in transport sector and allied R&D activities for reduction in emissions in fuel intensive sectors.
The R&D work in AMF TCP is carried out within individual projects called "Annex". Over the years, more than 50 Annexes have been initiated in AMF TCP and a number of fuels have been covered in previous Annexes such as reformulated fuels (gasoline & diesel), biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel etc.), synthetic fuels (methanol, Fischer- Tropsch, DME etc.) and gaseous fuels. R&D Institutions of Public sector Oil Marketing companies and Automobile Testing Agencies such as ARAI, CIRT, ICAT etc. have State-of-the-art facilities and resources will also be a contributor to the Annex(s) participated by MoP&NG.
Prime Minister at Urja Sangam, 2015 had directed to reduce the import in energy sector by at least 10% by 2022. Subsequently, MoP&NG has come up with a detailed action plan wherein Biofuels, Advanced/ alternate fuels and fuel efficiency play a major role. Association with AMF TCP will help MoP&NG in furthering its efforts in identification & deployment of suitable fuels for transport sector in respect of higher efficiency and lesser emissions.
Government of India has recently notified National Policy on Biofuels-2018 which focusses on giving impetus to R&D in field of advanced biofuels such as 2G Ethanol, Bio-CNG, bio-methanol, Drop-in fuels, DME etc. These advanced fuels can be produced from various kind of wastes such as crop residues, Municipal solid waste, Industrial waste, waste gases, Food waste, plastic etc. Though some of these advanced biofuels have successfully been deployed in few countries, India is still awaiting its deployment in transport sector. These advanced fuels are presently in their early stages of development in our Country and necessitate extensive R&D for making these fuels a viable option for meeting our energy needs. Association with AMF will help MoP&NG in identifying advanced biofuels suitable for deployment in transport sector in near future. In such cases, experience of member countries in deploying advanced biofuels will be an additional benefit for MoP&NG.
The benefits of participation in AMF TCP are shared costs and pooled technical resources. The duplication of efforts is avoided and national Research and Development capabilities are strengthened. There is an information exchange about best practices, network of researchers and linking research with practical implementation. After becoming member, India will initiate R&D in other areas of its interest in advanced biofuels and other motor fuels in view of their crucial role in substituting fossil fuel imports.
Background: AMF TCP is an international platform for co-operation among countries to promote cleaner and more energy efficient fuels & vehicle technologies. The activities of AMF TCP relate to R&D, deployment and dissemination of Advanced Motor Fuels and looks upon the transport fuel issues in a systemic way taking into account the production, distribution and end use related aspects.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India has joined AMF TCP as its 16th member on 9th May, 2018. The other member Countries of AMF TCP are USA, China, Japan, Canada, Chile, Israel, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Spain, Republic of Korea, Switzerland and Thailand.
10-Nov-2017: 2017 IEA Ministerial Meeting
The 2017 IEA Ministerial Meeting was recently held in Paris. The focus of the meeting was on global energy challenges and how they can be overcome. Participants included representatives from the 29 IEA member countries; accession countries Chile and Mexico; association countries China, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Singapore and Thailand; and partner countries Brazil and South Africa. CEOs from 30 top global energy companies also attended the meeting.
Founded in 1974, the IEA was initially designed to help countries co-ordinate a collective response to major disruptions in the supply of oil, such as the crisis of 1973/4. While this remains a key aspect of its work, the IEA has evolved and expanded significantly.
The IEA examines the full spectrum of energy issues including oil, gas and coal supply and demand, renewable energy technologies, electricity markets, energy efficiency, access to energy, demand side management and much more. Through its work, the IEA advocates policies that will enhance the reliability, affordability and sustainability of energy in its member countries and beyond.
6-Nov-2017: World's energy leaders to meet for 2017 IEA Ministerial Meeting
The world’s energy leaders will meet in Paris this week for the 2017 IEA Ministerial Meeting.
This high-level gathering of the IEA Family, including Ministers and Heads of Delegations from the IEA’s 29 members, as well as Association and Accession countries and top business executives, provides a unique opportunity to discuss the most pressing and important energy issues facing the world today.
Underscoring the importance of government-industry dialogue, the Ministerial Meeting will also be attended by chief executives of some of the world’s biggest energy companies, from all fuels and technologies across the global energy mix, as well as energy efficiency, representing companies totalling more than $2 trillion in market capitalisation.
The meeting will hear from a variety of keynote speakers, including Member Country ministers and top government officials, representatives from Mexico and Chile, as well as Association countries, namely Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Morocco, Singapore and Thailand.
The IEA Ministerial Meeting will be an opportunity to highlight the growing and critical importance of digitalization in the energy sector, as well as the evolution of energy security in the 21st century, the importance of clean-energy technologies and investments, and of course, future guidance for the IEA.
In addition to plenary sessions, a series of Ministerial-level side events will be held on issues including: the need to promote women in energy, through the Clean Energy Education and Empowerment programme (C3E TCP); the IEA Clean Energy Transitions Programme; and a Carbon Capture Use and Storage Summit, to be attended by over 20 energy ministers and CEOs active in CCUS.
The 2017 IEA Ministerial Meeting brings together the countries and companies that are the key decision makers in the world’s energy sector.
31-Mar-2017: India becomes associate member of IEA.
India has become associate member of IEA Association that will allow the country play a more visible and influential role in the global energy landscape. The Activation of Association is expected to serve as a bridge and platform for wider-ranging and deeper co-operation and collaboration between IEA member and Association countries in the future. This does not cast any additional obligation on India, however, gives an opportunity for the country to become the voice of the developing countries.
India pursues its key development objectives of energy access, energy security and environmental sustainability. India’s engagement with the International Energy Agency (IEA) has enhanced over the last two decades and the “Association” status would facilitate it to participate in meetings of the standing groups, committees and working groups that constitute the IEA governance structure.
India is world’s 3rd largest consumer of energy, hence a very big market for catering the energy demands of a billion plus people. It is essential to realise mutual benefits for India and IEA in the global energy space. Today over 70 per cent of world’s energy consumption is under the IEA umbrella which increases its relevance in global energy governance manifold.
He added that since India is moving fast to the centre-stage of Global Energy landscape, as pointed out by IEA’s India Energy Outlook 2015, IEA would look forward to increasing engagement with India in the areas like renewable energy, energy efficiency, among others.
Today, IEA is an important part of global dialogue on energy, providing research, data/statistics, analysis and recommendations on the global energy sector.
India can also richly gain from IEA’s data gathering processes, survey methodologies and range of energy data, which could enable India in the near future to set up its own robust integrated database agency.
India’s participation will enrich the energy efficiency and renewable sectors of IEA member and other countries.
16-Nov-2021: Pochampally village in Telangana selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by United Nations World Tourism Organisation
The Pochampally Village in Telangana State has been selected as one of the best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). The prestigious award will be given on the occasion of the 24th session of the UNWTO General Assembly on 2nd December 2021 in Madrid, Spain.
The Union Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) congratulated the people of the village and said, “Pochampally’s unique weaving styles and patterns received special focus through Prime Minister Sri Narendra Modi’s mantra of Vocal 4 Local as a part of Atma Nirbhar Bharat.” “On behalf of the people of Pochampally in particular and the people of Telangana, I am grateful that this award has been bestowed on the Village of Pochampally. I am also grateful to the Ministry officials in presenting the case for Pochampally and other entries effectively”, the Union Minister added.
The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Pilot initiative aims to award those villages which are outstanding examples of rural destinations and showcase good practices in line with its specified nine evaluation areas. It also aims to support villages to enhance their rural tourism potential through training and access to opportunities for improvement. The Ministry of Tourism recommended three villages for the UNWTO Best Tourism Village entry from India. These were Kongthong in Meghalaya, Ladhpura Khas, Madhya Pradesh and Pochampally in Telangana. Pochampally, was awarded by UNWTO.
Pochampally, 50 Kms from Hyderabad, is a town in Nalgonda district of Telangana and is often referred to as the Silk City of India for the exquisite sarees that are woven through a unique style called Ikat. This style, Pochampally Ikat, received a Geographical Indicator (GI Status) in 2004.
Ikat is a Malaysian, Indonesian word which means “Tie and Dye”. Ikat involves the process of wrapping (or tying) and dyeing sections of bundled yarn to a predetermined colour pattern before they are woven. The dye penetrates into exposed sections while the wrapped section remains undyed. This pattern formed by the yarn in this process is woven into fabric.
In 2015, to recognise the diversity of weaving techniques and our rich handloom tradition, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the first National Handloom Day on August 7 as a tribute to the formal proclamation of the Swadeshi Movement that was made in a meeting at the Calcutta Town hall on the same day in 1905.
Pochampally is also known as Bhoodan Pochampally to commemorate the Bhoodan Movement that was launched by Acharya Vinobha Bhave from this village on April 18th, 1951. Currently a two room Vinobha Bhave Mandir exists within the village which was earlier the place where Vinobha Bhave resided during his visit to the village.
The Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy said, “The Ministry of Tourism has drafted a Rural Tourism Policy which will not only promote tourism within our villages but also revitalise local arts and crafts and promote rural economy. It will help redevelop and rebuild our villages and rural life and the residents of the villages will also get an opportunity to engage and interact with people from outside”.
The Union Minister of Tourism also spoke about the Prime Minister’s call from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India’s 73rd Independence Day. The Minister said, “Our Prime Minister requested the citizens of our country to travel to at least 15 tourist destinations across our country. Taking this vision forward I would urge the citizens to include rural destinations such as Pochampally that have a rich cultural heritage in their travel itinerary and explore the beauty of the villages in our country.”
15-Sep-2018: 7th UNWTO Global summit on Urban Tourism
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) organized the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism: A 2030 Vision for Urban Tourism, on 16-19 September, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, jointly with the Seoul Metropolitan Government and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Tourism Organization and the Seoul Tourism Organization.
The Summit provided a unique platform to discuss the key issues shaping the future of urban tourism in the context of the 2030 Urban Agenda. It brought together high-level representatives from National Tourism Administrations, city authorities and related stakeholders, serving as a platform to exchange experiences and expertise and set a shared vision on urban tourism that embraces innovation, digital transformation and sustainability.