Type: IOCR

Central Idea

• The Vilnius Summit held in July 2023 was significant in assessing the progress made by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in the past year and preparing for future conflicts.
• While expectations were high regarding Ukraine’s membership timeline, the summit fell short in this regard.

Also read:

NATO+5 Status and India

Key takeaways from Vilnius Summit

(1) NATO’s Response to Threats:

• Russian Threat: The summit communique acknowledged Russia as the most significant and direct threat to the security, peace, and stability of NATO allies in the Euro-Atlantic area.
• Concerns over Belarus and Iran: NATO expressed concerns about Belarus providing territory and infrastructure for Russian aggression against Ukraine. It also highlighted Iran’s delivery of Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine.

(2) Recalibrations in the Baltic Sea:

• Finland and Sweden’s Inclusion: The summit marked Finland’s first participation as a NATO member, while Turkey agreed to ratify Sweden’s bid to join the alliance.
• Curbing Russian dominance: This paves the way for a strategic recalibration in the Baltic Sea region that was previously dominated by Russia.

(3) Commitments to Ukraine:

• Membership Timeline: Despite expectations, no concrete timeline for Ukraine’s NATO membership was provided.
• Concrete Outcomes: Ukraine secured short-term and long-term security commitments from NATO members, including the creation of the NATO-Ukraine Council and a multi-year program to help upgrade Ukrainian forces.
• Defense Support: Member states such as Germany, Norway, and France made commitments to support Ukraine’s defense, including financial assistance, military equipment, and bilateral security cooperation.

(4) Concerns over China:

• Beijing’s Threat: The summit reiterated NATO’s recognition of China as a threat to its security, interests, and values. It highlighted China’s opaque strategy, intentions, military build-up, and its support to Russia.
• Indo-Pacific Engagement: NATO emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific region’s security, linking it to Euro-Atlantic security.

(5) Defense Spending and Readiness:

• Burden-Sharing: NATO acknowledged the need for increased defense spending beyond the 2 percent of GDP baseline due to the more contested security order.
• Regional Defense Plans: Allies reached an agreement on regional defense plans to enhance the alliance’s readiness. The plans focus on upgrading forces, increasing interoperability, and addressing financial implications.

Conclusion

• Overall, the summit reaffirmed NATO’s relevance and strategic priorities in an evolving security landscape.

Central Idea

• The UK has formally signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a major Indo-Pacific trade deal.
• Joining the bloc is seen as the UK’s biggest trade deal since leaving the European Union.

What is CPTPP?

• The CPTPP, established in 2018, reduces trade barriers among 11 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Vietnam.
• Objectives of CPRPP include-

1. Tariff Reduction and Market Opening: The agreement requires countries to eliminate or significantly reduce tariffs and make commitments to open services and investment markets.
2. Addressing Competition and Intellectual Property: The CPTPP includes rules on competition, intellectual property rights, and protections for foreign companies.
3. Expanding Membership: While the CPTPP aims to counter China’s regional dominance, China and other countries such as Taiwan, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Ecuador have applied to join.

Importance of CPTPP for the UK

• Cutting Tariffs and Expanding Trade: The UK government anticipates reduced tariffs for UK exports to Asia Pacific countries. Joining the CPTPP expands trade opportunities, as the bloc represents 15% of global trade and a combined GDP of £12 trillion.
• Post-Brexit Trade Strategy: After leaving the EU, the UK seeks to deepen trade ties with the Pacific region through its “Global Britain” strategy.
• Seeking Faster-Growing Economies: The UK aims to establish trade deals with countries and blocs with faster-growing economies than the EU, given limitations in achieving agreements with major powers like China and the United States.

Challenges and Criticisms

• Economic Impact of Brexit: Critics argue that trade deals like the CPTPP will struggle to compensate for the economic damage caused by leaving the EU, which remains the UK’s largest trading bloc.
• Long-Term Productivity Forecast: Brexit is projected to reduce the UK’s long-term productivity by 4%, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
• Existing Trade Deals and Economic Boost: The UK already has trade deals with most CPTPP members, and the projected economic boost from joining the agreement is relatively modest at 0.08% annually.

Recent Developments

• Information Gathering Process: CPTPP members are assessing aspiring economies’ ability to meet the bloc’s high standards as part of the decision-making process for future membership.
• Collective Decision-Making: The decision on new members and the timeline for their inclusion will be made collectively by existing CPTPP participants.

Central Idea

• The unwillingness of many leading countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to stand with NATO over the war in Ukraine has brought to the fore once again the term “Global South.”

What is Global South?

• The term “Global South” refers to countries that are often described as ‘developing’, ‘less developed’, or ‘underdeveloped’.
• It encompasses countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, which are characterized by higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and harsh living conditions compared to the “Global North”.

Historical Background

• Emergence of the Term: The term ‘Global South’ was first used in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby, who argued that the war in Vietnam represented a history of northern “dominance over the global south”.
• Transition from Third World: Prior to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, these countries were commonly referred to as the ‘Third World’.
• Momentum and Context: The term gained momentum following the end of the Cold War and the rise of the non-aligned movement.

Features of the Global South

• Lower-income Countries: The Global South primarily consists of lower-income countries located in Africa, Asia, and South America.
• Geopolitical Background: Geopolitically, these nations have a history of imperialism and colonial rule.
• Newly Industrialized Status: Many of these countries are in the process of industrialization and have been described as newly industrialized.
• Prominent Countries: Prominent countries within the Global South include Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, and Mexico, known for their large populations and economies.

Need for Classification

• Critique of Earlier Terms: The East/West binary and the categorization of countries as developed/developing were criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and favoring Western ideals.
• Cold War Context: The First World, Second World, and Third World classifications were associated with Cold War alliances.
• Broad and Inclusive Classification: The term ‘Global South’ provides a broader classification based on shared history of colonization and similar socioeconomic indicators.

Global South amid Ukrainian War

• South-South Cooperation: South-South cooperation has emerged as countries like India and China challenge the dominant global order led by the US.
• Questioning the North as the Ideal: The rise of Asian countries questions the notion of the North as the ideal.
• Criticism of Classification: The classification of the Global South has been criticized for its broadness and concerns about resource accumulation, as well as the neglect of Africa.

Significance of the Global South

• India’s Role: India aims to unite Global South countries to adopt an action-oriented approach.
• Potential for Progress: Cooperation within the Global South can unlock significant potential for progress, including technical and ideas exchanges, sharing of manufacturing best practices, and more.
• Common Concerns: Energy security, justice, and sustainable energy transition are common concerns for the Global South, which India aims to highlight.

Challenges for Consolidation

• Debate over Climate Reparations: The ongoing debate over climate reparations has triggered controversy, as some argue that China and India should contribute given their increasing industrialization and historical carbon emissions.
• Impact of Russia-Ukraine War: The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has impacted the least developed countries (LDCs) and prompted them to align more closely with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
• Dominance of the US: Despite the shift to a multipolar world, the US still dominates international affairs, posing challenges for the consolidation of the Global South.

Way Forward

• Active Engagement: India must actively engage with regional politics within the developing world to champion the Global South.
• Tailored Policy Approach: It is crucial to recognize the diversity within the Global South and develop a policy vision that addresses the varying needs and capabilities of its member countries.

Conclusion

• Collaboration between the Global South and India can lead to significant advancements in various fields.
• India’s development partnerships prioritize consultation, outcome orientation, people-centric approaches, and respect for the sovereignty of partner countries.
• Distinguishing India’s approach from that of China can help avoid debt traps and financially unsound undertakings, promoting sustainable development within the Global South.

Central Idea

• The Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) or the High Seas Treaty was adopted by the UN on June 19.
• It became the third agreement under UNCLOS, following the establishment of the International Seabed Authority (ISB) and the Fish Stocks Agreement (FSA).

BBNJ/ High Seas Treaty

• The idea of protecting the marine environment emerged in 2002, leading to the recognition of the need for an agreement in 2008.
• In 2015, the UN General Assembly formed a Preparatory Committee to create the treaty.
• Intergovernmental conferences (IGC) were held, resulting in the adoption of the treaty in 2023.
• The treaty’s objective is to implement international regulations for the protection of marine life beyond national jurisdiction through international cooperation.

Key Provisions of Treaty

(1) Marine Protected Areas:

• The treaty establishes marine protected areas to safeguard the oceans from human activities.
• Decisions on protected areas require a “three-quarter majority vote” to prevent obstruction by a few parties.

(2) Sharing Benefits from Marine Genetic Resources:

• The treaty mandates sharing scientific information and monetary benefits through a “clear house mechanism.”
• The mechanism ensures open access to information on marine protected areas, marine genetic resources, and area-based management tools.

(3) Capacity Building and Marine Technology:

• The treaty emphasizes capacity building and the use of marine technology for environmental impact assessment.
• The Scientific and Technical Body will create standards and guidelines, assisting countries with limited capacity in carrying out assessments.

Challenges and Controversies

(1) Marine Genetic Resources:

• The issue of sharing and exchanging information on marine genetic resources was a contentious point during negotiations.
• Debates focused on monitoring information sharing and the potential hindrance to bioprospecting research.

(2) Definition and Language:

• The use of phrases like “promote” or “ensure” in different parts of the treaty, particularly regarding benefit sharing, sparked heated debates.

(3) Adjacency Issue:

• Negotiations were prolonged due to the need for provisions allowing coastal states to exercise sovereign rights over seabed and subsoil in areas beyond their jurisdiction.
• The interests of landlocked and distant states further complicated decision-making.

Opposition to the Treaty

• Several developed countries opposed the treaty due to their support for private entities involved in advanced research and development of marine technology.
• Russia and China also expressed reservations, with Russia ultimately withdrawing during the final stage of consensus building, arguing that the treaty lacks a balance between conservation and sustainability.

Significance of the treaty

(1) Environmental Preservation:

• The High Seas Treaty is crucial for protecting marine biodiversity and addressing pressing issues such as overfishing and pollution.
• It represents a significant step towards international cooperation in preserving the health and sustainability of our oceans.

(2) Global Cooperation and Research:

• The treaty promotes the sharing of scientific information and encourages collaboration among countries.
• This will foster research initiatives and facilitate a better understanding of marine ecosystems, leading to more effective conservation measures.

Conclusion

• The adoption of the High Seas Treaty marks a significant milestone in international efforts to protect marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions.
• While challenges and controversies prolonged the negotiation process, the treaty sets the stage for enhanced global cooperation and the implementation of regulations to safeguard our oceans for future generations.

Back2Basics:

Central Idea

• The Intergovernmental Negotiations Framework (IGN) meetings, which aim to reform the United Nations Security Council, are now being webcasted for the first time in history.

What is IGN?

• The Intergovernmental Negotiations framework (IGN) is a collective effort by various nation-states within the United Nations to advance the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
• This article provides an overview of the composition of the IGN and highlights the progress made in achieving consensus among its members.

Evolution of the Reform Agenda

• The issue of reforming the UN Security Council has been under discussion since 1993, with successive reports published in 2001 and 2007.
• The current agenda for this issue within the UN General Assembly can be accessed online.

Composition of the IGN

• The IGN consists of several international organizations representing different perspectives on UN Security Council reform, including:

1. African Union
2. G4 nations (Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan)
3. Uniting for Consensus Group (UfC), also known as the “Coffee Club”
4. 69 Group of Developing Countries
5. Arab League
6. Caribbean Community (CARICOM)

• Each group presents unique positions regarding the reform of the UN Security Council, reflecting the diverse interests and perspectives of its member states.

Establishment of Consensus

• On July 27, 2016, the United Nations General Assembly adopted an “oral decision” by general acclamation, approving the “elements of convergence” declaration.
• This declaration outlined the status of the consensus achieved by the IGN members at that time.