International Organizations (Part – I)

Total Questions: 50

1. With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations.

2. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB.

3. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (a) I only
Solution:The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, the AIIB began operations in January, 2016. The bank currently (As on 15 May, 2024) have 96 members (48 Regional & 48 Non-Regional) as well as 13 prospective members (109 approved members).

China is the largest shareholder in AIIB followed by India, It has many members from outside Asia such as Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Finland, Canada, France, Germany, Egypt, U.K. etc. Thus, only statement 1 is correct.

2. Where was the first World Summit on Social Development under the aegis of UNESCO held? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (d) Copenhagen
Solution:The first World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) under the aegis of UNESCO was held in March, 1995 in Copenhagen. At WSSD, Governments reached a new consensus on the need to put people at the centre of development.

UNESCO
UNESCO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that works for world peace through global cooperation in the fields of education, culture and the sciences.

  • Through its programmes, it strives to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • UNESCO develops educational tools so as to help humanity live in a world free of intolerance and hate.
  • It works in preserving the cultural heritage of the world's many cultures and also promotes the equal dignity of all cultures.
  • It also engages in advancing scientific programmes and policies as platforms for cooperation and development.
  • UNESCO is also known for advocating the freedom of expression and stands up against the killing of journalists.
  • Although officially founded as UNESCO in 1945, the organisation had its origins in the League of Nations itself. The Constitution of UNESCO came into force in 1946.
  • Headquartered in Paris, UNESCO is also a member of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

3. How many countries are members of World Bank? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (a) 189
Solution:The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low-and middle-income countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects, The World Bank was created at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). At present 189 countries are members of the World Bank (IBRD).

The WB Group, which is the parent organisation of the WB, includes

  • IBRD: It provides loans, credits and grants.
  • IDA: It provides low or no-interest loans to low-income countries.
  • International Finance Corporation (IFC):It provides investment, advice and asset management to private companies and governments.
  • Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA): It insures lenders and investors against political risk such as war.
  • International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): It settles investment-disputes between investors and countries.

4. The International Development Association, a lending agency, is administered by the: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2010]

Correct Answer: (a) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Solution:The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank group. It is an agency administrated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (or World Bank) to provide assistance on concessionary terms to the poorest countries.

The WB Group, which is the parent organisation of the WB, includes

  • IBRD: It provides loans, credits and grants.
  • IDA: It provides low or no-interest loans to low-income countries.
  • International Finance Corporation (IFC):It provides investment, advice and asset management to private companies and governments.
  • Multilateral Guarantee Agency (MIGA): It insures lenders and investors against political risk such as war.
  • International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): It settles investment-disputes between investors and countries.

5. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2017]

Correct Answer: (b) World Bank collaboration that facilitates the preparation and structuring of complex infrastructure Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to enable mobilization of private sector and institutional investor capital
Solution:The Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF) is a global, open platform under World Bank collaboration that facilitates the preparation and structuring of complex infrastructure public- private partnerships (PPPs) to enable mobilization of private sector and institutional investor capital.

The GIF platform coordinates and integrates the efforts of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), private sector investors and financiers, and governments interested in infrastructure investment in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDES). GIF was launched by the World Bank group in October, 2014.

6. 'World Development Report' is an annual publication of: [I.A.S. (Pre) 2002, U.P.P.C.S. (Spl.) (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (b) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
Solution:The World Development Report is an annual report published by International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (or World Bank).
  • The WB is an international financial institution that provides loans and grants to the governments of low and middle-income/developing countries for the purpose of pursuing capital projects.
  • It was established along with the IMF at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference.
  • The WB is the collective name for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and International Development Association (IDA), two of five international organisations owned by the WB Group.

7. The theme of the World Development Report 2001 is: [Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2003, I.A.S. (Pre) 2001]

Correct Answer: (c) Attacking Poverty
Solution:The theme of the World Development Report 2001 was Attacking Poverty: Opportunity, Empowerment and Security'. The theme of the World Development Report, 2023 was 'Migrants, Refugees, and Societies', while in 2024, the theme (title) of the World Development Report is 'Economic Growth in Middle Income Countries'.

World Development Report 2023: Highlights

  • The world population reached eight billion and is expected to grow further in the coming decades.
  • Most developing countries like India have a rise in the young population.
    About 2.3% of the world's population (184 million) which includes 37 million refugees live outside their country.
  • Indians with low skills who migrated to the United States saw a significant rise in their income of around 500%.
  • Similarly, the rise in income for highly-skilled workers such as engineers and doctors is even higher.
  • The report classified migrants into the following major types:
    ∗ With skills in demand
    ∗  Economic migrants with skills that match with demand
    ∗  Distressed migrants
  • It identified top migrant corridors as India-US, India-Bangladesh and India-Gulf countries.
  • The issues related to migration are becoming widespread and urgent.
  • Reasons are - severe divergences between and within countries- such as real wages, labour market opportunities, patterns of demography, and climate change.
  • It vouched for better migration management in destination, transit, and origin countries

8. According to the World Development Report, low income economics are those for which the per capita GNP in 1994 was: [I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]

Correct Answer: (c) US $ 725 or less(d
Solution:According to the World Development Report 1994, low income economies were those for which the per capita GNP in 1994 was US $ 725 or less.

The World Bank assigns the world's economies to four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle and high income countries. The classifications are updated each year on July 1 and are based on GNI per capita in current US $ of the previous year. The new thresholds (for FY 25) are as follows:

Groups (July 1, 2024 for FY 25)Per Capita GNI, 2023 ($)
Low Income1,145 or less
Lower-middle income1,146 – 4,515
Upper-middle income4,516 – 14,005
High incomeMore than 14,005

9. As per the World Development Report 2000, the highest Per Capita Income is in: [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2001, 2003]

Correct Answer: (a) Luxembourg
Solution:According to the World Development Report 2000, Luxembourg had the highest Per Capita GDP ($44640) among the above mentioned countries. As per the latest data of the World Bank, in 2022 Norway has the highest Per Capita Income (Per Capita GNI) on the basis of PPP (Purchasing Power Parity in current international) while Qatar is at second place. (data for Liechtenstein is not available in terms of PPP).

10. Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank's 'Ease of Doing Business Index'? [I.A.S. (Pre) 2019]

Correct Answer: (a) Maintenance of law and order
Solution:World Banks' 'Ease of Doing Business Index' was based on 10 sub-indicators:

• Starting a business

• Dealing with construction permits

• Getting electricity

• Registering property

• Protecting minority investors

• Trading across borders

• Enforcing contracts

• Resolving insolvency

Clearly option (a) 'maintenence of law and order' is not included in the above sub-indicators.