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?

(a) I only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

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]

(a) London
(b) New York
(c) Paris
(d) Copenhagen

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.

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

(a) 189
(b) 181
(c) 164
(d) 193

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).

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

(a) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(b) International Fund for Agricultural Development
(c) United Nations Development Programme
(d) United Nations Industrial Development Organization

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.

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

(a) ASEAN initiative to upgrade infrastructure in Asia and financed by credit from the Asian Development Bank
(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
(c) Collaboration among the major banks of the world working with the OECD and focused on expanding the set of infrastructure projects that have the potential to mobilize private investment
(d) UNCTAD funded initiative that seeks to finance and facilitate infrastructure development in the world

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]

(a) United Nations Development Programme
(b) International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
(c) World Trade Organisation
(d) International Monetary Fund

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).

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

(a) From Plan to Market
(b) Knowledge for Development
(c) Attacking Poverty
(d) The State in the Changing World

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'.

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]

(a) US $ 925 or less
(b) US $ 825 or less
(c) US $ 725 or less(d
(d) US $ 525 or less

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 Income	1,145 or less
Lower-middle income	1,146 – 4,515
Upper-middle income	4,516 – 14,005
High income	More 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]

(a) Luxembourg
(b) Switzerland
(c) Norway
(d) Jupan

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]

(a) Maintenance of law and order
(b) Paying taxes
(c) Registering property
(d) Dealing with construction permits

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.

12 3 4 5 Next »