CSS Past Paper 2024 Current Affairs Descriptive (Part 2)

Question 8

Write short notes on any TWO of the following:

a. Prospects of regional integration in South Asia
b. The UN efforts for nuclear non-proliferation
c. Climate Change and the Big Powers’ role

a. Prospects of Regional Integration in South Asia

South Asia is one of the least integrated regions in the world, even though it has over 1.8 billion people, common cultures, and shared histories. Countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Afghanistan can benefit a lot from regional cooperation, but political problems always block the way.

Challenges

• India-Pakistan tension is the biggest hurdle. Because of Kashmir and other issues, there is no trade or travel between the two major countries.
• SAARC, which was made to promote integration, is almost inactive due to political rivalry.
• Small countries fear Indian dominance, so they don’t fully trust the process.
• Border issues and historical conflicts also block cooperation.

Opportunities

• South Asia can benefit from shared trade, energy projects, water management, and tourism.
• Youth population is huge in the region. If countries work together, they can create jobs and peace.
• Projects like China’s Belt and Road or TAPI gas pipeline can help in connectivity.

Conclusion

Even with many problems, the potential for integration is still there. If political will is shown, and platforms like SAARC or BIMSTEC are used wisely, South Asia can become a peaceful and growing region like ASEAN.

b. The UN Efforts for Nuclear Non-Proliferation

The United Nations has always supported the idea of a world free from nuclear weapons. Since the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, the UN has worked to stop the spread of nuclear arms and promote disarmament.

Key UN Efforts

• The most important is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968. It stops countries from making new nuclear weapons and promotes peaceful nuclear energy use.
• The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) inspects nuclear programs to check if they are peaceful.
• The CTBT (Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty) bans all nuclear tests, but not all countries signed or ratified it yet.
• UN also supports nuclear weapon-free zones in regions like Latin America, Africa, etc.

Problems

• Big powers like the US, Russia, and China still have thousands of nuclear weapons.
• Some countries like India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea never signed the NPT or refused to follow it.
• Double standards by powerful countries weaken the system.

Conclusion

The UN has done a lot for non-proliferation, but without full support from all countries, especially nuclear powers, the goal of a nuclear-free world is still far. Still, UN’s work keeps the world aware and careful about the dangers of nukes.

c. Climate Change and the Big Powers’ Role

Climate change is the biggest threat to the planet today. Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and rising sea levels are affecting millions of people. But the country’s most responsible for climate change are the big powers like the US, China, EU, Russia, etc.

Big Powers’ Responsibilities

• These countries produce most of the carbon emissions from industries, cars, and power plants.
• They have more money and technology to reduce emissions and switch to clean energy.
• But many of them don’t meet their promises made in international climate agreements.

Important Agreements

• The Paris Agreement (2015) was signed by almost every country to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
• The COP conferences, like COP28, are held every year to review climate action plans.
• Big countries also promised to give $100 billion per year to poor countries to fight climate change, but the target is not fully met.

Criticism

• Many rich countries talk more and act less.
• Poor countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and African states suffer most, even though they cause very little emissions.
• Some big powers still rely heavily on coal and oil, which makes the climate worse.

Conclusion

Big powers have a huge role in both causing and solving climate change. They must show real leadership by cutting emissions, helping poor nations, and stopping environmental destruction. Without their help, the planet’s future is in danger.