Q1. Cameroon has recently adopted Nagoya Protocol to benefit from its rich biodiversity. In light of the above statement, discuss the Nagoya Protocol and how it can benefit countries with rich biodiversity, including India. (250 words).
Topic- Preservation of Biodiversity:
Introduction:
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, is an international agreement that aims to ensure that the benefits of using genetic resources and traditional knowledge are shared in a fair and equitable way. This protocol can provide an opportunity to consolidate, scale up and showcase initiatives on biodiversity before the world.
Body :
- About Nagoya Protocol
- Importance
- Objective
- Benefits to India
Conclusion :
The Nagoya Protocol would contribute to conservation and sustainable use, since benefits accruing from utilization of genetic resources would act as incentive to biodiversity-rich countries and their local communities to conserve and sustainably use their biodiversity.
UPSC Syllabus Preservation of Biodiversity:
Why was this question asked?
How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in the conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC Main 2018)
(UPSC Main 2016)
Introduction
Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing, is an international agreement that aims to ensure that the benefits of using genetic resources and traditional knowledge are shared in a fair and equitable way. This protocol can provide an opportunity to consolidate, scale up and showcase initiatives on biodiversity before the world.
Body Status :
About Nagoya Protocol
- The Nagoya Protocol is an offshoot of the Convention on Biological Diversity that addresses fair and equitable benefit sharing in the context of biodiversity access.
- India signed the Nagoya Protocol in 2011 and ratified it in October 2012. The ratification by India was done at the 11th Conference of Parties (COP) to the CBD, which was conducted in Hyderabad.
- The domestic legislation in India for the implementation of the CBD is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
Importance
- The Nagoya Protocol will create greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources by:
- Establishing more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources.
- Helping to ensure benefit-sharing when genetic resources leave the country providing the genetic resources
- By helping to ensure benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol creates incentives to conserve and sustainably use genetic resources, and therefore enhances the contribution of biodiversity to development and human well-being.
Objectives
- the conservation of biological diversity. the sustainable use of its components, and. the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
- The goal is to make sure that “provider” countries participate equally in the utilization of their genetic resources.
- the parties are obliged to establish appropriate legislative, administrative or policy measures to.
Benefits to India
- India is one of the identified megadiverse countries rich in biodiversity and is also rich in associated traditional knowledge.
- India has been a victim of misappropriation or biopiracy of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, which have been patented in other countries (well known examples include neem and haldi).
- It is expected that the Nagoya Protocol would address this concern.
Challenges
- The adoption of the Protocol is not just about the environment but also about international equity as a crucial component of any environmental regime.
- The Nagoya Protocol is both directly and indirectly influenced by issues such as biodiversity conservation, international trade, agriculture, intellectual property, and indigenous and local communities’ rights, all of which are regulated through different international institutions and sets of norms.
- Some environmental lawyers have warned that contracts must be very carefully framed, including consequences for noncompliance.
Conclusion
The Nagoya Protocol would contribute to conservation and sustainable use, since benefits accruing from utilization of genetic resources would act as incentive to biodiversity-rich countries and their local communities to conserve and sustainably use their biodiversity.
Q2. After months of a pause on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that was launched during the G-20 summit in September 2023, the government is expected to take talks on the project forward, when Greek Prime Minister visits India. In light of this, discuss the significance and challenges of the initiative for India and the world. (250 words).
Topic- India and the world
Introduction
India-Middle East-Europe economic order(IMEC), is an infrastructure development project launched on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi, provides India a golden opportunity to integrate with global supply chains, but the implementation remains its biggest bottleneck.
Body
- About IMEC
- Components
- Geopolitical significance
- Geoeconomic Significance
Conclusion
The biggest challenge to implement India-Middle East-Europe economic order is the volatile regions through which it is going to pass. However, the project if brought to reality will ease the access of South Asia to Europe via the Middle East and integrate the global supply chains.
UPSC Syllabus India and the world
Why was this question asked?
How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE, and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics?. (UPSC Main 2022)
“India’s relations with Israel have, of late, acquired a depth and diversity, which cannot be rolled back.” Discuss. (UPSC Main 2018)
Introduction:
India-Middle East-Europe economic order (IMEC), is an infrastructure development project launched on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi, provides India a golden opportunity to integrate with global supply chains, but the implementation remains its biggest bottleneck.
Body Status
About IMEC
- As per experts, the origins of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) lie in a forum created in October 2021 called I2U2, comprising India, Israel, the UAE and the US while Saudi Arabia was later made part of the grouping.
- IMEC is a planned economic corridor that aims to bolster economic development by fostering connectivity and economic integration between Asia, the Persian Gulf and Europe.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of IMEC was signed during the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit by the governments of India, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and European Union.
Components
- The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) project will comprise two distinct corridors, namely:
- The Northern Corridor: This corridor connects the Gulf region to Europe. This incorporates similar transportation infrastructure, including rail, ship-to-rail links, and road networks.
- The Eastern Corridor: This corridor links India with the Arabian Gulf. It features railroads, ship-to-rail networks, and road transport routes.
Geopolitical significance
- The IMEC corridor which is led by India, USA and European Union will acts at a counter to the Chinese influence and presence in Middle- east.
- The IMEC will help India to bypass Pakistan and also an alternative route for India to connect to Europe along with route through Iran’s Chabahar port. Thus, promoting India’s long term strategic interest.
- This promotes regional stability in volatile west Asia, by building regional economic hubs and zones of prosperity along the entire region.
Geoeconomic Significance
- There is a strong commitment by all other parties involved, especially the U.S. and the European Union, that will be required to fund the initiatives through the G-7-led Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII).
- IMEC corridor will make trade between India and Europe 40% faster thereby increasing trade competitiveness of India.
- The corridor will increase efficiencies, reduce costs, enhance economic unity, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissions – – resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
- Corridor will enable India to develop infrastructure like railway tracks etc in the countries that lack infrastructure, thus giving a pushback to China’s influence in West Asia and Europe.
Challenges
- The existing trade routes and the interests of the countries involved could present obstacles, particularly if their economic interests are negatively impacted.
- After the October 7 terror attacks in Israel and Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia have been unwilling to discuss “normal” ties with Israel.
- IMEC meeting hasn’t taken place more than 150 days later, leading experts to suggest that the project is unviable without progress on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticised the project for bypassing Turkey, and has vowed for an alternative route
Conclusion
The biggest challenge to implement India-Middle East-Europe economic order is the volatile regions through which it is going to pass. However, the project if brought to reality will ease the access of South Asia to Europe via the Middle East and integrate the global supply chains.