The World Heritage Committee has recently made the decision to add Ukraine’s Odesa, located on the Black Sea port, to its World Heritage List. This signifies the recognition of this historic centre’s extraordinary universal value and the commitment of humankind to preserving it. The committee has also marked Odesa’s Historic Centre on the List of World Heritage in Danger, designed to draw international attention towards conditions endangering the characteristics which led to its listing, thereby encouraging corrective action. As we step into 2023, 52 properties are listed as being in danger by the Committee.
ICG Celebrates 47th Raising Day with New Initiatives
On its 47th raising day celebration, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) expressed intentions of installing a new radar in the Sunderbans region to enhance patrolling and surveillance while guarding against cross-border terrorism. Standing as the world’s fourth-largest Coast Guard, ICG plays a crucial part in safeguarding India’s coasts and enforcing maritime regulations. Since its establishment in 1978, when it only had seven surface platforms, the ICG has grown tremendously. As of now, it possesses 158 ships and 78 aircraft, with expectations of achieving 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025. In line with the nation’s ‘SAGAR’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the ICG underwent training of foreign officers and personnel in 2022.
Visakhapatnam: Soon to be Andhra Pradesh’s Capital
Visakhapatnam is set to become the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, as stated by its Chief Minister. The state requires a new capital following Hyderabad’s shift to Telangana – a change which has resulted in both states temporarily sharing capitals. In 2020, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Andhra Pradesh Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, seeking to implement the government’s plan of three capitals – Visakhapatnam for the executive, Amaravati for the legislative, and Kurnool for judicial purposes. The High Court directed the state government in 2022 to construct and develop Amaravati as the state capital. This matter, however, awaits a Supreme Court verdict due to petitions filed by farmers who had donated land for Amaravati’s development.
The Continuing Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh
Armenia has turned to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to urge Azerbaijan to end the road blockade isolating Nagorno-Karabakh. Located within Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh has been governed by ethnic Armenian forces since the end of a separatist war in 1994. The origin of this conflict dates back to pre-Soviet times when the region was a convergence point of the Ottoman, Russian, and Persian empires. Escalation occurred following the self-declaration of independence by Nagorno-Karabakh in September 1991, during the final days of the USSR, resulting in a war between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, the latter backed by Armenia.