By: D.K Choudhary
Ecuador appointed new Chairman of UN Group of 77
i. Ecuador was on January 13, 2017 appointed as the new Chairman of the United Nations Group of 77 which promotes the interests of the 134 developing countries it represents at the United Nations, including China.
ii. The country took over from Thailand which focused on how to implement the 17 UN goals for 2030 to promote development and good governance, and preserve the environment.
iii. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai handed over the chairmanship of the United Nations Group of 77 to Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa at Washington DC in the presence of the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres.
Eucador Thailand
♦ Capital: Quito ♦ Capital: Bangkok
♦ Currency: United States Dollar ♦ Currency: Thai baht
♦ President: Rafael Correa ♦ King: Vajiralongkorn
India-Sri Lanka Signs MoU for constructing 3,000 Rain Water Harvesting Systems
i. India and Sri Lanka has signed an MoU on January 13, 2017 for the construction of 3000 rain water harvesting systems in northern Jaffna District of Sri Lanka at a cost of 
30 crore Sri Lankan Rupees.
ii. The MoU was signed by Mr. Arindam Bagchi, Acting High Commissioner of India in the presence of Hon. A. H. M. Fowzie, State Minister of National Integration and Reconciliation.
iii. Besides the construction of the system, MoU also includes training of the households on operation and maintenance of the systems.
Sri Lanka
♦ Capitals: Colombo ♦ Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe
♦ President: Maithripala Sirisena ♦ Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
Australia, Japan boost defense ties amid China’s growing military might
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull signed an upgraded defence agreement to boost cooperation between their militaries on January 14, 2017.
♦ Beside with this they also reaffirmed their support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement the 12-nation trade pact
Benefits of the Agreements :
i. The pact will allow their militaries to provide each other with logistical support during exercises.
ii. It will enhance their coordination on activity in the disputed South China Sea and the nuclear threat posed by North Korea
Australia :
♦ Capital: Canberra
♦ Currency: Australian dollar
