Places in News: Niger, Ivory Coast and Pacific Island States

world map | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

	Why in the News?	Details
Niger	Turkish delegation visited to strengthen military cooperation with the junta, shifting alliances to Turkey and Russia.	Geography: Landlocked in West Africa, bordered by Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Population ~26.3 million; capital Niamey. Key Points: Gained independence from France in 1960. Political instability with coups and a military junta in 2023. It faces significant challenges including desertification, water scarcity, and economic development issues. It is one of the world’s poorest nations despite having large uranium reserves.
Ivory Coast	Recent discoveries have revealed substantial oil reserves estimated at six billion barrels, potentially making Ivory Coast a net oil exporter by the end of the decade. The Baleine field, operated by Eni, aims to reach significant production levels by 2026.	Geography: Located on the southern coast of West Africa; bordered by Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Gulf of Guinea. Population ~30.9 million; capital Yamoussoukro. Key Points: Gained independence from France in 1960. Experienced political instability, now relatively stable since 2016. Fast-growing economy dependent on cocoa, coffee, and expanding into gold mining and oil refining. Abidjan is a major hub for West African economic activities.
Pacific Island States	Participated in a summit with Japan expressing concerns over military build-ups and the need for regional peace and security.	Geography: Vast region in the Pacific Ocean, categorized into Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia; diverse climates and ecosystems. They face challenges such as climate change impacts, biodiversity loss, and varying levels of development. Economic activities include tourism, agriculture (especially coconut and palm oil), and fishing. These islands play a crucial role in global biodiversity and climate resilience efforts.