1. South Asian Association 14th year for Regional Co-operation in Law Conference begins in Colombo.
The 14th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in Law (SAARCLAW) Conference was held in Colombo, capital city of Sri Lanka along with 11th SAARC Chief Justices Conference.
The three-day conference was inaugurated by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and saw participation from South Asia’s top Judges, legal practitioners and academics.
>
/* Calculate the width of available ad space */
ad = document.getElementById(`google-ads-1`);
if (ad.getBoundingClientRect().width) {
adWidth = ad.getBoundingClientRect().width; // for modern browsers
} else {
adWidth = ad.offsetWidth; // for old IE
}
/* Replace ca-pub-XXX with your AdSense Publisher ID */
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2551325655874098";
/* Replace 1234567890 with the AdSense Ad Slot ID */
google_ad_slot = "6713161600";
/* Do not change anything after this line */
if ( adWidth >= 728 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "250"]; /* Leaderboard 728x90 */
else if ( adWidth >= 468 )
google_ad_size = ["468", "60"]; /* Banner (468 x 60) */
else if ( adWidth >= 336 )
google_ad_size = ["336", "300"]; /* Large Rectangle (336 x 280) */
else if ( adWidth >= 300 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "300"]; /* Medium Rectangle (300 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 250 )
google_ad_size = ["250", "250"]; /* Square (250 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 200 )
google_ad_size = ["200", "200"]; /* Small Square (200 x 200) */
else if ( adWidth >= 180 )
google_ad_size = ["180", "150"]; /* Small Rectangle (180 x 150) */
else
google_ad_size = ["125", "250"]; /* Button (125 x 125) */
document.write (
``
);
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Key Facts
The SAARCLAW Conference provided platform for legal professionals to meet and discuss issues of mutual interests and emerging legal trends in the South Asian countries. It also discussed issues like artificial intelligence, human trafficking, Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and environmental protection concerns.
Besides, 11th Chief Justices conference was held in a closed-door session and was attended only by Chief Justices or their representatives. It provided Chief Justices of SAARC countries opportunity to consider relevance of judiciaries within South Asia.
SAARCLAW Conference
It was established in Sri Lanka in 1991. Since then conference has provided a platform for legal professionals from South Asian region to meet and discuss issues of mutual interests pertaining to justice, legal reforms, good governance and enforcement over a span of 25 years.
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
SAARC is regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of nations in South Asia. Its member states include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It comprises 3% of world’s area, 21% of world’s population and 3.8% of global economy as of 2015.
2. India to Host UN Wildlife Summit in 2020.
India will host the next UN global wildlife conservation and international species protection conference in 2020, it was announced on Saturday in the Philippine capital.
“#India to be the host of the next CMS Conference of the Parties #CMSCOP13! Officially announced at the closing #CMSCOP12 plenary, in Manila,” the UN for Environment Programme tweeted.
An announcement in this regard was made on the last day of the week-long 12th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals or CMS COP12, the only international treaty devoted exclusively to migratory animal species.
Delegates from 91 countries participated in the CMS COP that is held once in three years. This was for the first time the summit was held in Asia.
“An intensive week of negotiations have resulted in a stronger commitment by countries to step up their efforts to conserve the planet’s migratory wildlife,” an official statement quoting CMS Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers said.
The CMS COP12 in Manila has been the largest-ever meeting in the 38-year history of the convention, which is also known as the ‘Bonn Convention’ after the German city in which it was signed.
The summit saw some notable outcomes, including a vulture multi-species action plan to better protect 15 species of Old World Vulture in more than 120 countries, comprising four that are critically endangered in India.
>
/* Calculate the width of available ad space */
ad = document.getElementById(`google-ads-1`);
if (ad.getBoundingClientRect().width) {
adWidth = ad.getBoundingClientRect().width; // for modern browsers
} else {
adWidth = ad.offsetWidth; // for old IE
}
/* Replace ca-pub-XXX with your AdSense Publisher ID */
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2551325655874098";
/* Replace 1234567890 with the AdSense Ad Slot ID */
google_ad_slot = "6713161600";
/* Do not change anything after this line */
if ( adWidth >= 728 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "250"]; /* Leaderboard 728x90 */
else if ( adWidth >= 468 )
google_ad_size = ["468", "60"]; /* Banner (468 x 60) */
else if ( adWidth >= 336 )
google_ad_size = ["336", "300"]; /* Large Rectangle (336 x 280) */
else if ( adWidth >= 300 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "300"]; /* Medium Rectangle (300 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 250 )
google_ad_size = ["250", "250"]; /* Square (250 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 200 )
google_ad_size = ["200", "200"]; /* Small Square (200 x 200) */
else if ( adWidth >= 180 )
google_ad_size = ["180", "150"]; /* Small Rectangle (180 x 150) */
else
google_ad_size = ["125", "250"]; /* Button (125 x 125) */
document.write (
``
);
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Governments also agreed to cooperate on reducing the negative impacts of marine debris, noise pollution, renewable energy and climate change on migratory species.
Other mammals that will benefit from the additional protection include the African wild ass — the most endangered wild equid in the world — Przewalski’s Horse and four species of Lasiurus Bat.
The proposal to add the Chinkara (Indian gazelle) was withdrawn.
Addressing the Plenary of COP12, UN Environment Executive Director Erik Solheim said the sustainable development goals were directed at both “people and planet”.
He added that new technologies and political commitment could protect both the planet and bring development to people with the same policies.
3. India Sends 1st Wheat Shipment to Afghanistan via Chabahar port.
India today sent its first consignment of wheat to Afghanistan through the Chabahar port in Iran, seen as a “landmark” move to operationalise the new strategic transit route, bypassing Pakistan.
The shipment was flagged off from the Kandla port in Gujarat with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Afghan counterpart Salahuddin Rabbani joining the ceremony through video conferencing.
“The shipment of wheat is a landmark moment as it will pave the way for operationalisation of the Chabahar port as an alternate, reliable and robust connectivity for Afghanistan,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
In June, India and Afghanistan had launched an air freight corridor between the two countries to boost trade as Pakistan has been refusing land transit access through its territory.
“I am extremely delighted that today we have joined on a momentous occasion for the people of our three countries and the region,” Swaraj said, terming the move as an important step in realising the shared aspiration to carve out “new routes” of peace and prosperity.
The consignment will be transported to Afghanistan from Chabahar through land route.
>
/* Calculate the width of available ad space */
ad = document.getElementById(`google-ads-1`);
if (ad.getBoundingClientRect().width) {
adWidth = ad.getBoundingClientRect().width; // for modern browsers
} else {
adWidth = ad.offsetWidth; // for old IE
}
/* Replace ca-pub-XXX with your AdSense Publisher ID */
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2551325655874098";
/* Replace 1234567890 with the AdSense Ad Slot ID */
google_ad_slot = "6713161600";
/* Do not change anything after this line */
if ( adWidth >= 728 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "250"]; /* Leaderboard 728x90 */
else if ( adWidth >= 468 )
google_ad_size = ["468", "60"]; /* Banner (468 x 60) */
else if ( adWidth >= 336 )
google_ad_size = ["336", "300"]; /* Large Rectangle (336 x 280) */
else if ( adWidth >= 300 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "300"]; /* Medium Rectangle (300 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 250 )
google_ad_size = ["250", "250"]; /* Square (250 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 200 )
google_ad_size = ["200", "200"]; /* Small Square (200 x 200) */
else if ( adWidth >= 180 )
google_ad_size = ["180", "150"]; /* Small Rectangle (180 x 150) */
else
google_ad_size = ["125", "250"]; /* Button (125 x 125) */
document.write (
``
);
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
Swaraj also reiterated India’s continued commitment to support reconstruction, capacity building and socio-economic development of Afghanistan, including under the framework of the New Development Partnership announced last month.
“The wheat that is leaving the Indian shores today, is a gift from the people of India to our Afghan brethren. It is testament to the continued commitment of the government and the people of India to support our Afghan brethren in building a normal, peaceful, prosperous, secure and bright future for themselves,” Swaraj said.
She also renewed commitment to work closely with regional and international partners to bring peace, security, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.
The Chabahar port is expected to open up new opportunities for trade and transit from and to Afghanistan and enhance trade and commerce between the three countries and the wider region.
4. Saudi Arabia to Allow Women into Sports Stadiums from 2018.
Saudi Arabia will allow women into three sports stadiums for the first time from next year, authorities said Sunday, in a landmark move that would open up the previously male-only venues to families.
The kingdom, which has some of the world`s tightest restrictions on women, has long barred women from sports arenas by strict rules on segregation of the sexes in public.
The announcement is in line with powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman`s ambitious reform drive shaking up the ultra-conservative kingdom, including the decision to allow women to drive from next June.
>
/* Calculate the width of available ad space */
ad = document.getElementById(`google-ads-1`);
if (ad.getBoundingClientRect().width) {
adWidth = ad.getBoundingClientRect().width; // for modern browsers
} else {
adWidth = ad.offsetWidth; // for old IE
}
/* Replace ca-pub-XXX with your AdSense Publisher ID */
google_ad_client = "ca-pub-2551325655874098";
/* Replace 1234567890 with the AdSense Ad Slot ID */
google_ad_slot = "6713161600";
/* Do not change anything after this line */
if ( adWidth >= 728 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "250"]; /* Leaderboard 728x90 */
else if ( adWidth >= 468 )
google_ad_size = ["468", "60"]; /* Banner (468 x 60) */
else if ( adWidth >= 336 )
google_ad_size = ["336", "300"]; /* Large Rectangle (336 x 280) */
else if ( adWidth >= 300 )
google_ad_size = ["300", "300"]; /* Medium Rectangle (300 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 250 )
google_ad_size = ["250", "250"]; /* Square (250 x 250) */
else if ( adWidth >= 200 )
google_ad_size = ["200", "200"]; /* Small Square (200 x 200) */
else if ( adWidth >= 180 )
google_ad_size = ["180", "150"]; /* Small Rectangle (180 x 150) */
else
google_ad_size = ["125", "250"]; /* Button (125 x 125) */
document.write (
``
);
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
"Starting the preparation of three stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah and Damman to be ready to accommodate families from early 2018," the General Sports Authority said on Twitter.
Last month authorities allowed hundreds of women to throng a sports stadium in Riyadh, used mostly for football matches, for the first time to mark Saudi Arabia`s national day.
Under the country`s guardianship system, a male family member — normally the father, husband or brother — must grant permission for a woman`s study, travel and other activities.
But the kingdom appears to be relaxing some norms as part of its "Vision 2030" plan for economic and social reforms, which aims to boost female employment.
In July, rights campaigners welcomed an "overdue" reform by the education ministry to allow girls to take part in sports at state schools.