International Relations — Key Global Initiatives and Organizations
1. I2U2 Initiative
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 2021
- Member Countries: India, Israel, USA and UAE
- I2U2 was formed following the Abraham Accords between Israel and the UAE.
- At that time, it was called the 'International Forum for Economic Cooperation'.
- It was also called the 'West Asian Quad'.
- I2U2 initiative is a new grouping of India, Israel, USA and UAE.
- It was established to enhance cooperation and collaboration in various areas such as water, energy, transportation, space, health, and food security.
- The main objective of this grouping is to promote economic development, scientific innovation, and regional stability.
Factors/Agreements that led to I2U2
- Abraham Accords (2020): UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco established formal ties with Israel, mediated by the USA.
- The restoration of regular diplomatic relations between Israel and the UAE made this novel alliance possible.
- The emergence of the new Quad can be attributed to the aligned interests of India, the UAE, and Israel, which were spurred by Turkey's assertive claims to leadership in the Islamic world.
- The initiative has been launched to counter China's influence and projects such as BRI in the region.
- While the Indo-Pacific Quad was primarily focused on defence and security, this initiative seems to focus more on economic cooperation and not security cooperation.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — I2U2
- Established: 2021 | Members: India, Israel, USA, UAE
- Also Known As: West Asian Quad, International Forum for Economic Cooperation
- Focus Areas: Water, Energy, Transportation, Space, Health, Food Security
- Preceded By: Abraham Accords (2020)
- Objective: Economic development, scientific innovation, regional stability
- Differs from Indo-Pacific Quad: Economic cooperation (vs defence & security)
2. International Solar Alliance (ISA)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 2015
- Headquarters: Gurugram, India
- Member Countries: 119 countries
NEWS
Malta became the 119th member of the ISA.
Malta became the 119th member of the ISA.
- The International Solar Alliance (ISA) is an action-oriented, member-driven, collaborative platform for increased deployment of solar energy technologies.
- Its aim is to facilitate energy access, ensure energy security, and drive energy transition in its member countries.
- The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
- It was conceptualized on the sidelines of the COP21 to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015.
- A total of 119 countries have signed the ISA Framework Agreement.
- All member states of the United Nations are eligible to join the ISA.
ISA's 'Towards 1000' Strategy
- To mobilize USD 1000 billion of investments in solar energy solutions by 2030
- To deliver energy access to 1000 million people using clean energy solutions
- To install 1000 GW of solar energy capacity
- To mitigate global solar emissions to the tune of 1000 million tonnes of CO2 every year
- It is headed by the Director General and the ISA Assembly is the apex decision-making body that comprises representatives from each Member Country.
- The first Assembly of the ISA was held in October 2018 in Greater Noida, India.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — ISA
- Established: 2015 | Headquarters: Gurugram, India
- Members: 119 countries | Latest: Malta
- Conceived By: India and France (COP21, Paris 2015)
- 'Towards 1000' Strategy: $1000 billion investment, 1000 million people, 1000 GW capacity, 1000 million tonnes CO2 reduction
- Apex Body: ISA Assembly | First Assembly: October 2018, Greater Noida
3. Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 1989
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Member Countries: 39 Countries
NEWS
FATF removes UAE, Uganda, Barbados & Gibraltar from grey list of countries.
FATF removes UAE, Uganda, Barbados & Gibraltar from grey list of countries.
- FATF is an inter-governmental policy-making and standard-setting body dedicated to combating money laundering and terrorist financing.
- It aims to establish international standards, and to develop and promote policies, both at national and international levels, to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
- It was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.
- In 2001, its mandate expanded to include terrorism financing.
- India became a member of FATF in 2010.
FATF Lists
- Black List: Countries known as Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories (NCCTs) are put on the blacklist. These countries support terror funding and money laundering activities.
- North Korea, Iran and Myanmar are currently in the Black List.
- If a country is in the blacklist, no financial aid is given to them by the IMF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the European Union.
- They also face a number of international economic and financial restrictions and sanctions.
- Grey List: Countries that are considered a safe haven for supporting terror funding and money laundering are put on the FATF grey list. This inclusion serves as a warning to the country that it may enter the blacklist.
- There are 21 countries currently in the Grey List.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — FATF
- Established: 1989 | Headquarters: Paris, France
- Members: 39 countries | India Joined: 2010
- Mandate: Money laundering and terrorist financing (expanded 2001)
- Black List: North Korea, Iran, Myanmar
- Grey List: 21 countries (warning before blacklist)
- Founded at: G7 Summit, Paris (1989)
4. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 1960
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Member Countries: 38 Countries
NEWS
The Gujarat government recently signed an agreement with the OECD to conduct the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test for Government School students in the state.
The Gujarat government recently signed an agreement with the OECD to conduct the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test for Government School students in the state.
- It is an international organisation of 38 countries committed to democracy and the market economy.
- OECD members are typically democratic countries that support free-market economies.
- The OECD was established in 1960 by 18 European nations along with the United States and Canada.
- The stated goal of OECD is to shape policies that foster prosperity, equality, opportunity and well-being for all.
- The organization also seeks to eliminate bribery and other financial crime worldwide.
- The OECD also maintains a "black list" of nations that are considered uncooperative tax havens.
- India is one of the many non-member economies with the OECD.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — OECD
- Established: 1960 | Headquarters: Paris, France
- Members: 38 countries | India: Non-member
- Goal: Prosperity, equality, opportunity, well-being
- PISA: Programme for International Student Assessment
- Black List: Uncooperative tax havens
5. International Energy Agency (IEA)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 1974
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Member Countries: 31 (India is an associate member)
NEWS
The IEA's annual coal market report predicts a significant shift in the trajectory of global coal demand, hinting at a structural decline by 2026.
The IEA's annual coal market report predicts a significant shift in the trajectory of global coal demand, hinting at a structural decline by 2026.
- It is an autonomous inter-governmental organisation within the OECD framework.
- It works with governments and industry to shape a secure and sustainable energy future for all and also ensure the security of oil supplies.
- It was created in response to the 1973-1974 oil crisis when an oil embargo by major producers pushed prices to historic levels and exposed the vulnerability of industrialised countries to dependency on oil imports.
- It consists of 31 member countries and 11 association countries.
- A candidate country to the IEA must be a member country of the OECD.
- India joined this organization in 2017 as an associate member.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — IEA
- Established: 1974 | Headquarters: Paris, France
- Members: 31 + 11 association countries
- India: Associate member (2017)
- Created: In response to 1973-74 oil crisis
- Part of: OECD framework
6. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 1957
- Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
- Member Countries: 178 Countries
- It is widely known as the world's "Atoms for Peace and Development" organization within the United Nations family.
- It is the world's central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field.
- It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
- Though independent, the IAEA also reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
- IAEA enhances national, regional, and international capacities to respond to nuclear and radiological incidents, which is essential to minimizing their impact.
- It was awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for their work for a safer and more peaceful world.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — IAEA
- Established: 1957 | Headquarters: Vienna, Austria
- Members: 178 countries
- Motto: "Atoms for Peace and Development"
- Nobel Peace Prize: 2005
- Reports to: UN General Assembly and Security Council
7. Eastern Economic Forum (EEF)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 2015
NEWS
Recently, Russia hosted the 7th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Vladivostok.
Recently, Russia hosted the 7th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) at Vladivostok.
- The EEF aims to encourage foreign investments in Russia's far east region.
- The region encompasses one-third of Russia's territory and is rich with natural resources such as fish, oil, natural gas, wood, diamonds and other minerals.
- The region's riches and resources contribute to 5% of Russia's GDP.
- Eastern Maritime Corridor: A proposed sea route linking Chennai, India, to Vladivostok, Russia, traversing the Sea of Japan, South China Sea, and the Malacca Strait.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — EEF
- Established: 2015
- Purpose: Encourage foreign investments in Russia's far east region
- Region: 1/3 of Russia's territory, 5% of Russia's GDP
- Eastern Maritime Corridor: Chennai (India) to Vladivostok (Russia)
8. AUKUS
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 2021
- Member Countries: Australia, the UK and the USA
NEWS
China is wary of AUKUS expansion, dubbing it as Asian NATO.
China is wary of AUKUS expansion, dubbing it as Asian NATO.
- It is a trilateral security partnership for the Indo-Pacific established in 2021.
- The major highlight of this arrangement is the sharing of US nuclear submarine technology to Australia.
- Its Indo-Pacific orientation makes it an alliance against China's assertive actions in the South China Sea.
- It involves a new architecture of meetings and engagements between the three countries, as well as cooperation across emerging technologies (applied AI, quantum technologies and undersea capabilities).
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — AUKUS
- Established: 2021 | Members: Australia, UK, USA
- Nature: Trilateral security partnership for Indo-Pacific
- Key Feature: Sharing of US nuclear submarine technology with Australia
- Focus: Countering China's assertive actions in South China Sea
- Technologies: Applied AI, quantum technologies, undersea capabilities
9. Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 2021
- Member Countries: India, Japan and Australia
NEWS
The 14-nation agreement on supply chain resilience opens doors for India.
The 14-nation agreement on supply chain resilience opens doors for India.
- In 2021, India, Japan and Australia formally launched the Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).
- It aims to build resilient supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region as they seek to reduce dependence on China.
- It helps to battle the blockades in supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- It seeks to build upon the existing bilateral frameworks like the Asean-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan and India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership and attract foreign direct investment in the region.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — SCRI
- Established: 2021 | Members: India, Japan, Australia
- Purpose: Build resilient supply chains in Indo-Pacific
- Goal: Reduce dependence on China
- Bilateral Frameworks: ASEAN-Japan Economic Resilience Action Plan, India-Japan Industrial Competitiveness Partnership
10. Arctic Council
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 1996
- Headquarters: Tromsø, Norway
- Member Countries: 8 Countries
NEWS
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average. This is leading to the loss of sea ice and the thawing of permafrost.
The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average. This is leading to the loss of sea ice and the thawing of permafrost.
- The Arctic Council is a key intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic Indigenous Peoples, and other Arctic inhabitants.
- It was established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration.
- The establishment was preceded by the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (June 1991), a declaration on protecting the Arctic environment.
- All Arctic Council decisions:
- Require consensus of the eight Arctic States.
- Happens in consultation with the permanent participants.
- Thirteen Countries, including India, are observer members (since 2013).
- The Arctic Council cannot implement or enforce its guidelines, assessments, or recommendations or even take military or security action. The responsibility belongs to individual Arctic States or international bodies.
- It has no programming budget. Arctic States sponsor all projects or initiatives.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — ARCTIC COUNCIL
- Established: 1996 | Headquarters: Tromsø, Norway
- Members: 8 Arctic States
- Observers: 13 countries including India (2013)
- Founded By: Ottawa Declaration (1996)
- Decision-Making: Consensus required
- No Budget: Projects sponsored by Arctic States
11. Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) — Detailed
BASIC INFORMATION
- Established: 1961
- Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Member Countries: 120 countries
- The Non-Aligned Movement was founded and held its first conference (the Belgrade Conference) in 1961 under the leadership of:
- Josip Broz Tito of Yugoslavia
- Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt
- Jawaharlal Nehru of India
- Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana
- Sukarno of Indonesia
- It was an organization of States that did not seek to formally align themselves with either the United States or the Soviet Union but sought to remain independent or neutral.
- Established during the Cold War to avoid polarization between East and West — called the 3rd bloc against the US and Soviet Union.
- It has 120 members as of April 2018, comprising:
- 53 countries from Africa
- 39 from Asia
- 26 from Latin America and the Caribbean
- 2 from Europe (Belarus, Azerbaijan)
- There are 17 countries and 10 international organizations that are Observers at NAM.
- The most recent group summit was held in 2019 in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.
- NAM completely lost its influence after the death of Josip Broz Tito, then leader of Yugoslavia, in 1980.
KNOWLEDGE NUGGET — NAM
- Established: 1961 | Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
- Members: 120 countries | Observers: 17 countries + 10 organizations
- Founding Leaders: Tito (Yugoslavia), Nasser (Egypt), Nehru (India), Nkrumah (Ghana), Sukarno (Indonesia)
- First Summit: Belgrade, Yugoslavia (1961)
- Recent Summit: Baku, Azerbaijan (2019)
- 3rd Bloc: Against US and Soviet Union during Cold War
12. Summary: Organizations at a Glance
| Organization | Established | Headquarters | Members |
|---|---|---|---|
| I2U2 | 2021 | - | 4 (India, Israel, USA, UAE) |
| ISA | 2015 | Gurugram, India | 119 |
| FATF | 1989 | Paris, France | 39 |
| OECD | 1960 | Paris, France | 38 |
| IEA | 1974 | Paris, France | 31 + 11 associates |
| IAEA | 1957 | Vienna, Austria | 178 |
| AUKUS | 2021 | - | 3 (Australia, UK, USA) |
| SCRI | 2021 | - | 3 (India, Japan, Australia) |
| Arctic Council | 1996 | Tromsø, Norway | 8 + 13 observers |
| NAM | 1961 | Jakarta, Indonesia | 120 |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- I2U2: 2021 | India, Israel, USA, UAE | West Asian Quad | Focus: Economic cooperation
- ISA: 2015 | Gurugram | 119 members | Conceived by India & France | 'Towards 1000' Strategy
- FATF: 1989 | Paris | 39 members | India joined 2010 | Blacklist: North Korea, Iran, Myanmar
- OECD: 1960 | Paris | 38 members | India: Non-member
- IEA: 1974 | Paris | 31 members | India: Associate member (2017)
- IAEA: 1957 | Vienna | 178 members | Nobel Peace Prize 2005
- AUKUS: 2021 | Australia, UK, USA | Nuclear submarine technology sharing
- SCRI: 2021 | India, Japan, Australia | Supply chain resilience in Indo-Pacific
- Arctic Council: 1996 | Tromsø, Norway | India: Observer (2013)
- NAM: 1961 | Jakarta | 120 members | Founded by Tito, Nasser, Nehru, Nkrumah, Sukarno
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Global Initiatives and Organizations)
Q1. I2U2 initiative is also known as:
Correct Answer: B. I2U2 is also known as the West Asian Quad or the International Forum for Economic Cooperation.
Q2. The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was conceived by:
Correct Answer: B. The ISA was conceived as a joint effort by India and France to mobilize efforts against climate change through deployment of solar energy solutions.
Q3. FATF was established during which summit?
Correct Answer: B. FATF was established in 1989 during the G7 Summit in Paris.
Q4. Which countries are currently in the FATF Black List?
Correct Answer: B. North Korea, Iran, and Myanmar are currently in the FATF Black List.
Q5. India joined the IEA as an associate member in which year?
Correct Answer: B. India joined the International Energy Agency (IEA) as an associate member in 2017.
Q6. AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between:
Correct Answer: B. AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, established in 2021.
Q7. The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was launched by:
Correct Answer: B. The Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) was launched by India, Japan, and Australia in 2021.
Q8. The Arctic Council was established through which declaration?
Correct Answer: A/C. The Arctic Council was established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration.
Q9. India became an observer member of the Arctic Council in which year?
Correct Answer: C. India became an observer member of the Arctic Council in 2013, along with 12 other countries.
Q10. Which of the following is NOT a founding leader of the Non-Aligned Movement?
Correct Answer: C. Nelson Mandela was NOT a founding leader of NAM. The founding leaders were Tito (Yugoslavia), Nasser (Egypt), Nehru (India), Nkrumah (Ghana), and Sukarno (Indonesia).