GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

Context

January was observed as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of addressing cervical cancer as a public health issue. Additionally, March 4 is marked as International HPV Awareness Day, underscoring the significance of HPV vaccination in preventing cervical cancer.

Cervical Cancer Burden and Projections:

• Prevalence:Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in India, with a significant impact on women's health and mortality rates.
• Public health challenge: Without intervention, the number of cervical cancer cases and deaths is projected to rise substantially in India, posing a significant public health challenge.
• Disparities at global level:The majority of cervical cancer cases and deaths occur in lower- and middle-income countries, exacerbating health disparities globally.

Strategies for Prevention:

• Vaccination:Prevention strategies for cervical cancer primarily involve HPV vaccination and screening for precancerous lesions.
• Comprehensive approach:The World Health Organization advocates for a comprehensive intervention approach, aiming for high vaccination coverage, screening rates, and treatment accessibility by 2030.
• Lack of effective strategy:Despite progress, many lower-resourced communities still lack effective intervention programs, hindering efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health concern.

Role of Physicians and Medical Societies:

• Role of physicians: Physicians play a crucial role in advocating for HPV vaccination and promoting awareness about cervical cancer prevention.
• Education:Medical societies like FOGSI and IAP are mobilizing physician champions to educate their peers and communities about HPV vaccination and screening.
• Addressing concerns: Building trust in vaccine safety and effectiveness, addressing misinformation, and ensuring equitable access to HPV vaccination are essential for effective cervical cancer prevention.

Context

The latest meeting of the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13) concluded with limited progress on critical issues affecting global trade, highlighting challenges faced by the WTO amid evolving global trade dynamics and increasing protectionist tendencies among nations.

Limited Progress and Challenges:

• No significant outcome: Despite extending deliberations, the MC13 in Abu Dhabi failed to achieve significant outcomes, reflecting ongoing challenges within the WTO.
• Disruptions:Global trade has been impacted by conflicts, disruptions in shipment routes, and shifts in supply chains, contributing to an environment of uncertainty and protectionism.
• Need for resilient supply chains:The declaration from the MC13 acknowledges challenges such as the need for resilient supply chains but lacks concrete measures to address them effectively.

Persistent Divergences and Some Progress:

• Divergences on agriculture and subsidy: Divergences among WTO member countries persisted on key issues carried forward from previous conferences, including agriculture and fisheries subsidies.
• Dispute over custom duties:While agriculture discussions have seen some progress with the emergence of a text for future negotiations, disputes over customs duties for e-commerce continue.
• Retaining space for sensitive sectors:India succeeded in preventing the introduction of an investment facilitation pact into the WTO framework, emphasizing the importance of retaining policy space for sensitive sectors.

Calls for Reform and Renewed Relevance:

• Challenges:The WTO faces challenges in remaining relevant amidst increasing polarization and skepticism among members.
• Need of reforms:Efforts to revive the WTO’s dispute resolution body remain uncertain, highlighting the need for institutional reform to strengthen the organization.
• Urgency to address trade issues:The MC13 outcome underscores the urgency for the WTO to address emerging trade issues effectively and regain confidence as a facilitator of open, inclusive, and rules-based global trade.

Context

The government has taken significant steps regarding critical minerals in the past year, including identifying a list of 30 critical minerals and amending mining laws to allow private sector participation in their auction, reflecting India's focus on securing essential resources for various sectors.

Importance and Identification of Critical Minerals:

• Identification:India identified 30 critical minerals based on factors like disruption potential, substitutability, and import reliance, recognizing their crucial role in multiple sectors beyond decarbonization.
• Significance for industries: Critical minerals are essential for industries ranging from fertilizers to defense and are integral to achieving clean energy goals, with electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies requiring substantial mineral resources.
• Projections:The global demand for critical minerals is projected to surge significantly to meet climate goals, emphasizing the need for strategic planning and resource security to support India's decarbonization ambitions.

Challenges and Global Landscape:

• Challenges due to concentration:The concentration of critical mineral reserves in a few countries, particularly China, poses challenges for global supply chains, with disparities in mineral reserves and processing capacities creating vulnerabilities.
• Dominance:China's dominance in processing critical minerals and rare earths has raised concerns, as it exerts control over global supply chains and uses its monopoly to influence geopolitical dynamics and technological advancements.
• India’s attempt to mitigate risk:India's participation in initiatives like the US-led Minerals Security Partnership aims to strengthen critical mineral supply chains by collaborating with countries possessing deposits and processing technology, mitigating dependency risks.

India's Decarbonization Goals and Dependency Risks:

• India's ambitious plans for decarbonization and achieving net-zero emissions require substantial quantities of critical minerals, particularly for battery manufacturing to support electric mobility and renewable energy deployment.
• Challenges for domestic market: Despite efforts to secure critical minerals through agreements with countries like Australia, India remains heavily reliant on imports, posing challenges for domestic manufacturing and technological development.
• Need of long-term planning:The lack of access to critical minerals and processing technology could emerge as a significant impediment to India's decarbonization journey, highlighting the importance of long-term strategic planning and resource diversification.