CONTENTS

1. ASEAN Future Forum
2. India’s biggest Climate Clock

ASEAN Future Forum

Context:

Recently, India’s External Affairs Minister participated in the First ‘ASEAN Future Forum’.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of ASEAN Future Forum
2. About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Overview of ASEAN Future Forum

Purpose

• Serves as a platform for ASEAN and its partners to exchange new ideas and policy recommendations.
• Aims to establish a shared platform for ASEAN member states, partner countries, and ASEAN citizens to contribute to shaping the bloc’s development trajectory.

Initiation

• Proposed by Vietnam during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in 2023.

First Forum Theme

• “Toward fast and sustainable growth of a people-centered ASEAN Community.”

Location

• Held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

About Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising Ten Countries in Southeast Asia.

Members of ASEAN

1. Indonesia
2. Malaysia
3. Philippines
4. Singapore
5. Thailand
6. Brunei
7. Vietnam
8. Laos
9. Myanmar
10. Cambodia

ASEAN’s Objectives:

1. To promote intergovernmental cooperation and facilitates economic, political, security, military, educational, and sociocultural integration among its members and other countries in Asia.
2. To maintain close and beneficial cooperation with existing international and regional organisations.
3. To promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
4. To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development for a prosperous and peaceful community of Southeast Asian Nations.

A major partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN maintains a global network of alliances and dialogue partners and is considered by many as the central union for cooperation in Asia-Pacific.

• The motto of ASEAN is “One Vision, One Identity, One Community”.
• ASEAN is headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia.
• 8th August is observed as ASEAN Day.
• In 1967 ASEAN was established with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by its founding fathers: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
• Chairmanship of ASEAN rotates annually, based on the alphabetical order of the English names of Member States.

India’s biggest Climate Clock

Context:

Recently, the Council of Scientific &Industrial Research (CSIR), installed and activated India’s biggest Climate Clock at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi as a part of the Earth Day Celebrations.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

CSIR Installs India’s Largest Climate Clock

Event Significance

• CSIR installed and activated India’s largest Climate Clock at its Headquarters in New Delhi during Earth Day Celebrations.
• Reflects CSIR’s commitment to raising awareness about climate change and promoting energy literacy among the public.

Purpose and Background

• The Climate Clock was launched in 2015 to serve as a tool for tracking climate change mitigation progress.
• Provides a visual representation of how quickly the planet is approaching 1.5°C of global warming based on current emissions trends.

Functionality

• Graphically demonstrates the amount of CO2 emitted and the global warming experienced to date.
• The date indicating when humanity will reach 1.5°C of global warming adjusts based on changes in emissions levels.

Current Climate Temperature

• As of April 4, 2024, the current climate temperature stands at 1.295°C.