World Panorama (UPSC) Part-III

41. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? [2017-I]

1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.

2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.

3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Solution:From the official organization's website: UN-Habitat also partners with private organizations and civil society so second statement wrong. While Statement 1 and 3 are correct. Hence answer "B" only 1 and 3.

42. 'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and [2017-I]

(a) European Union
(b) Gulf Cooperation Council
(c) Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(d) Shanghai Cooperation Organization

Correct Answer: (a) European Union

Solution:India-EU BTIA negotiation has been going on for years, because of differences over data security, child labour and IPR. Hence "A" is the answer.

43. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an [2017-I]

(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:World Bank had launched it in 2014.

44. Which of the following gives 'Global Gender Gap Index' ranking to the countries of the world? [2017]

(a) World Economic Forum
(b) UN Human Rights Council
(c) UN Women
(d) World Health Organization

Correct Answer: (a) World Economic Forum

Solution:It's compiled by World Economic Forum and India scored rank 87 in 2016.

45. Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): [2017-I]

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.

2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (b) 2 only

Solution:The 2015 event was hosted by S.Africa and co-chair Tanzania. So first statement is wrong.
In 2008, IONS was setup taking all the littoral countries of the Indian Ocean (IO) onboard to promote friendly relationship and...bear upon issues of regional maritime security and cooperation in the maritime domain. Second statement is right.

46. Consider the following statements: [2017-I]

1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.

2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2

Solution:President Obama had initiated NSS in 2010. so, first statement is wrong.
The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM), an independent group of arms-control and non-proliferation experts from 17 countries, has been keeping track of HEU and plutonium around the world. So second statement also wrong.

47. Consider the following pairs: [2018-I]

Regions sometimes mentioned in news

1. Catalonia - Spain

2. Crimea - Hungary

3. Mindanao - Philippines

4. Oromia - Nigeria

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 2 and 4 only

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 3 only

Solution:

Catalonia had been in news due to referendum where people decided to vote for secession from Spain. So, #1 is right.
Crimea had been gifted to Ukraine in 1954 but Putin annexed the province back in 2014 So, #2 is wrong, Crimea is not in Hungary.
In 2017, India has decided to give 25 Million Pesos aid to Philippines to fight Islamic State in Mindanao Province. This is the first time that India has decided to extend monetary assistance outside to any state to fight terrorism. This signals a rise of India's image as a Net Security Provider. So, #3 is right. Thus by elimination, we get Option c: 1 and 3 Only.
Now just to gain knowledge about #4: Oromia is not in Nigeria but in Ethiopia, it has been in news in 2017, due to Ethnic violence, terrorism and general anarchy that is common in such African countries and also in some Indian states.

48. Very recently, in which of the following countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due to starvation caused by war/ethnic conflicts ? [2018-I]

(a) Angola and Zambia
(b) Morocco and Tunisia
(c) Venezuela and Colombia
(d) Yemen and South Sudan

Correct Answer: (d) Yemen and South Sudan

Solution:

Venezuela and Columbia- Venezuela has been facing severe crisis due to hyperinflation, food shortage and associated food-riots. But this hunger/ malnutrition is not by war/ethnic conflicts per say, but rather President Nicolas Maduro's bogus economic policies. So, #C looks tempting but doesn't fit.
Morocco and Tunisia- Were in news due to starting of Arab Spring, Jasmine revolution. Angola is in Africa, but not much in news except for economic crisis and stampede. Similar case for Zambi (a) So, A doesn't fit.
In war-torn South Sudan 1.25 million people are facing starvation, double the number from the same time last year, This country could once again plunge into famine in 2018 says UN.
In Yemen, over 20 million people need humanitarian assistance, including 7 million facing "famine-like" conditions, Food supplies are expected to run out within six weeks due to Saudi-led coalition's a blockade on war-torn Yemen. Therefore, among the given options, D is most fitting.

49. The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of [2018-I]

(a) China
(b) Israel
(c) Iraq
(d) Yemen

Correct Answer: (b) Israel

Solution:Palestine under Israeli control advocates two states solution. It wants the creation of Arab Palestine state in the Gaza strip and West Bank, along side the state of Israel.

50. International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to [2018-I]

(a) Child labour
(b) Adaptation of agricultural practices to global climate change
(c) Regulation of food prices and food security
(d) Gender parity at the workplace

Correct Answer: (a) Child labour

Solution:

ILO Convention No. 138: minimum age of entry into work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years.
ILO Convention No. 182: "Worst Forms of Child Labour" have to be prohibited urgently.

World Panorama (UPSC) Part-III

41. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct? [2017-I]

42. 'Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and [2017-I]

43. The Global Infrastructure Facility is a/an [2017-I]

44. Which of the following gives 'Global Gender Gap Index' ranking to the countries of the world? [2017]

45. Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): [2017-I]

46. Consider the following statements: [2017-I]

47. Consider the following pairs: [2018-I]

48. Very recently, in which of the following countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due to starvation caused by war/ethnic conflicts ? [2018-I]

49. The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of [2018-I]

50. International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to [2018-I]

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