United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation

• Every year on September 12^th, the United Nations observes the UN Day for South-South Cooperation.
• The United Nations' Day for South-South Cooperation celebrates the economic, social and political developments made in recent years by regions and countries in the South.
• It also highlights United Nations efforts to work on technical cooperation among developing countries.
• The theme for this year is “Solidarity, Equity and Partnership: Unlocking South-South Cooperation to Achieve the SDGs”.

India and Saudi Arabia Sign Agreement on Cooperation in Energy Sector

• On 11^th September 2023 India and Saudi Arabia inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which aimed at enhancing their collaboration in the energy sector, thereby strengthening the energy partnership between the two nations.
• The MoU was signed between Union Minister for New & Renewable Energy and Power, R. K. Singh and Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, who attended the meeting on behalf of the Saudi side.
• This MoU encompasses a wide range of energy-related areas, including Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, Hydrogen, Electricity and Grid Interconnection, Petroleum, Natural Gas, Strategic Petroleum Reserves, and Energy Security.

India and UK Launch Infra Finance Bridge

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the establishment of an infrastructure financing bridge between India and the UK to coordinate and execute significant infrastructure initiatives.
• The infrastructure financing bridge, a joint initiative involving Niti Aayog and the City of London Corporation, seeks to leverage their respective expertise to facilitate the execution of significant infrastructure projects.

UK PM Rishi Sunak Commits $2 Billion to Un-backed Climate Fund

• During the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the United Kingdom will provide $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to support developing nations in addressing climate change.
• The Green Climate Fund was established under United Nations climate negotiations with the aim of facilitating the financial resources required by less affluent countries to meet their carbon emission reduction targets, advance cleaner energy sources, and adapt to a warming planet.
• The United Kingdom has committed to allocating £11.6 billion (equivalent to $14.46 billion) toward international climate finance from 2021 to 2026.

TN Govt All Set to Launch Scheme Granting Monthly Aid to Over 1 Crore Women

• The Tamil Nadu government is on the verge of unveiling its most extensive social welfare program, the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam.
• Under this initiative, starting on September 15th, a monthly financial aid of Rs 1,000 will be extended to 1.06 crore eligible women who are the heads of their families.
• The funds will be directly deposited into the beneficiaries' bank accounts, and they will be provided with ATM cards for easy withdrawal of the amount.

₹204-Crore KIIFB Aid for Cochin Cancer Research Centre

• In a significant move to enable the complete functioning of the Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC), the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) has earmarked Rs 204 crore for the procurement of medical equipment.
• This funding will be disbursed in three installments, with a six-month gap between each payment.
• Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd (KMSCL) has been entrusted to procure the medical equipment.

Re-Appointment of Sandeep Bakshi as ICICI Bank MD & CEO

• The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for the re-appointment of Sandeep Bakshi as the Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Bank, extending his tenure for an additional three years.
• This decision means he will continue to hold the position until October 3, 2026.
• Sandeep Bakshi boasts a remarkable 36-year career within the ICICI Group, where he has taken on diverse roles across ICICI Limited, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, ICICI Bank, and ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.

Rajnath Singh to Inaugurate 90 BRO Infrastructure Projects In Jammu

• Union Defense Minister Rajnath Singh is set to dedicate 90 infrastructure projects, constructed by the Border Road Organisation (BRO) at a cost of ₹2941 crore, to the nation.
• These projects span across 10 border States and Union Territories in the Northern and North-Eastern regions.
• During the ceremony, organized by the Border Roads Organisation at Devak Bridge on the Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur Road in Jammu and Kashmir, Rajnath Singh will inaugurate 22 roads, 63 bridges, the Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh, two airfields in West Bengal, and two helipads.
• The Union Minister will also perform the e-Shilanyash (foundation stone laying ceremony) for the Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh.
• The Nyoma Airfield, located in Eastern Ladakh, is set to be developed at an estimated cost of ₹218 crore and will serve as a critical infrastructure for various strategic air assets.