National & International Events - Current Affairs for November, 2016

India on 21^st Nov became an associate member of the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, the world’s largest nuclear and physics particle lab

• The agreement was signed by DAE Secretary and Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Sekhar Basu and CERN DG Dr. Fabiola Gianotti
• In 2015, the Union Cabinet approved the proposal for India officially entering the Geneva based body following which the CERN Council accepted India has an associate member
• India has observer status till Sept 2016 when CERN Council adopted the resolution upgrading its position
• Three major activities in the lab- acceleration, detection and computing are areas where Indian scientists excel
• An associate membership of CERN will enhance participation of young scientists and engineers in various CERN projects
• Indian industries will also participate directly in CERN projects; industries can now bag contracts for specified requirement of CERN
• After becoming an associate member, India also contributes certain money for research activities
• Annual contribution of 11.5m Swiss Franc from Indian government to CERN involves the associate membership
• Membership comes at a time when criticism within the scientific community over the delay in India accepting the membership
• Pakistan was an associate member since 2014
• The organisation is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics lab where scientists and engineers have probed the fundamental structure of the Universe using sophisticated scientific instruments and advanced computing systems
• CERN currently has 22 member states, 4 associate member states and observer status is given to 4 states and 3 International organisations

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI will be hosting the COP7.

• The Conference of Parties will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda.
• Conference will be held at Greater Noida’s District Gautam Buddha Nagar UP.
• This is the first occasion that a COP meeting is being held in India.
• GoI has a strong commitment to increase international cooperation and awareness of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control internationally and in the SE Asian region.
• Delhi Declaration for supporting measures to combat tobacco control will also be framed at COP7.
• The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is the first international evidence based public health treaty.
• The rights of people to the highest standard of health has been recognised.
• The treaty was developed by nations in response to the globalisation of the tobacco epidemic.
• Currently, there are 180 parties to the convention.
• India has ratified the public health treaty in 2005.
• It was the 7th nation to ratify the convention.
• The treaty was ratified on 27th February by India; the nation is now obligated to comply with the treaty provisions and guidelines to reduce tobacco consumption internationally.
• India has provided the leadership role in the negotiations of FCTC and was a regional coordinator for the SE Asia region.
• COP is the governing body of the WHO FCTC and is comprised of the Parties to the Convention.
• It keeps under regular review of the implementation of the convention.
• COP ensures decisions are in place to promote effective implementation.
• It may also adopt protocols, amendments and annexes to the Convention.
• COP conference is held once every 2 years.