Fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) 

Context: Recently, the External Affairs Minister (EAM) unveiled the logo, theme and official website for the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in New Delhi.

More on the News

• India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on 31 May 2026 in New Delhi in collaboration with the African Union Commission.

• The Summit will be held under the theme "IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation”, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the India-Africa partnership.

About India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)

• The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is a premier platform for high-level engagement between India and African countries, launched in 2008. 

• It is held periodically to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, capacity building, technology, and development partnership. 

• So far, three summits have been held: 

• IAFS-I (2008, New Delhi) 
• IAFS-II (2011, Addis Ababa) 
• IAFS-III (2015, New Delhi) (largest, with participation of all 54 African countries) 

• The summit operates on the principles of South-South cooperation, mutual respect, and demand-driven development partnership.

Significance of India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)

• Strengthening South–South Cooperation: IAFS serves as a key platform for promoting South–South cooperation, based on mutual respect, equality, and shared developmental priorities between India and African nations.

• Enhancing Strategic Engagement: The summit strengthens India’s strategic presence in Africa, particularly in the context of growing global competition in the region. 

• People-to-People and Capacity Building Focus: Through initiatives like scholarships, training programmes, and skill development, IAFS enhances human resource development and long-term institutional ties.

• Alignment of Development Visions: The partnership aligns India’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” with Africa’s Agenda 2063, promoting sustainable development. 

Project DANTAK of BRO Celebrates 66th Raising Day

Context: Project DANTAK, a flagship overseas project of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), celebrated its 66th Raising Day in Bhutan.

About Project DANTAK

• Project DANTAK was established in 1961 as a special initiative of India to support Bhutan’s infrastructure development. 

• It is the oldest overseas project of BRO, headquartered at Deothang (Bhutan).

• It is responsible for constructing and maintaining over 1,500 km of roads and several key infrastructure projects in Bhutan, including Bhutan’s East–West Highway. 

• It plays a crucial role in strengthening strategic and economic ties between India and Bhutan, especially in border and remote regions. 

• Over the years, it has contributed to capacity building and employment generation for local communities in Bhutan.

About Border Roads Organisation (BRO)

• The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was established in 1960 to develop and maintain infrastructure in border and remote areas of India. 

• Motto: "Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam" (Everything achievable through hard work).

• It operates under the Ministry of Defence and plays a key role in enhancing connectivity for defence preparedness and socio-economic development. 

• BRO undertakes projects not only in India but also in neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan, reflecting India’s regional outreach. 

• It is known for executing projects in challenging terrains, including high-altitude regions, deserts, and dense forests.

Goldman Environmental Prize 2026

Context: The Goldman Environmental Prize 2026, often referred to as the “Green Nobel Prize”, was awarded to six grassroots environmental activists from different regions of the world.

Awardees and their Work

• Yuvelis Morales Blanco (Colombia): Led community resistance against hydraulic fracturing (fracking) projects along the Magdalena River, contributing to their suspension. 

• Sarah Finch (United Kingdom): Secured a landmark Supreme Court ruling requiring fossil fuel projects to account for their full climate impact, reshaping environmental law. 

• Alannah Acaq Hurley (United States): Led a coalition that stopped the Pebble Mine project, protecting vast salmon ecosystems in Alaska. 

• Borim Kim (South Korea): Won Asia’s first youth-led constitutional climate case, compelling stronger emissions reduction targets. 

• Theonila Roka Matbob (Papua New Guinea): Forced mining giant Rio Tinto to accept responsibility for environmental damage from the Panguna mine. 

• Iroro Tanshi (Nigeria): Led community action to protect endangered bat habitats and rainforest ecosystems from wildfires.

About Goldman Environmental Prize

• The Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the “Green Nobel”, is the world's largest award for grassroots environmental activists and is administered by the Goldman Environmental Foundation.

• Philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman founded the prize in 1989 to highlight the international nature of environmental problems and inspire global action through individual leadership.

• The prize annually recognises one grassroots environmental leader from each of six continental regions—Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South & Central America, and Islands & Island Nations.

• The winners are selected by an international jury and awarded with $200,000 USD each. 

Extreme Heat Threatens Global Food Systems

Context: A joint report titled “Extreme Heat and Agriculture” released by the FAO and the WMO warns that rising temperatures are posing a serious threat to global agriculture and rural livelihoods.

Key Findings of the Report

• Extreme heat is described as a “risk multiplier”, worsening droughts, water stress, wildfires, and pest outbreaks, thereby intensifying agricultural vulnerability. 

• In hot regions such as South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of Latin America, the number of days too hot for safe farm work could rise to ~250 days per year by the end of the century. 

• Agricultural workers are among the most vulnerable, with extreme heat already causing massive loss of labour productivity and working hours globally. 

• The report notes that crop yields decline beyond ~30°C, while various livestock experience heat stress above ~25°C, affecting food production systems. 

• Over 1 billion people dependent on agrifood systems are at risk due to increasing heat stress and ecosystem disruption.

About the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• FAO is a specialised UN agency, established in 1945 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy.

• It has 194 member states, along with the European Union as a member organization. 

• FAO works to eliminate hunger, improve nutrition, and ensure food security through policy support, technical assistance, and research. 

• It plays a key role in global agricultural statistics, food monitoring, and sustainable farming practices. 

• Important Reports/Indices: 

• State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) 
• State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) 
• Food Price Index (FFPI) 
• Global Forest Resources Assessment (GFRA)

About the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

• The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) was established in 1950 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

• It provides early warning systems, climate services, and disaster risk reduction support globally. 

• Important Reports/Initiatives: 

• State of the Global Climate Report 
• Greenhouse Gas Bulletin 
• Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update