Day-700 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS

Answer: D
Context: Speaking at the Inter-Governmental Dialogue on Security Council Reform, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador stressed the need for comprehensive reform of the Security Council.
Explanation:
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Uniting for Consensus (UFC), also known as the Coffee Club, is a movement that developed in the 1990s in protest against the possible expansion of permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council. The Coffee Club is a group of countries that oppose bids for permanent seats. Made a joint bid for a seat on the UN Security Council by countries such as Brazil, Germany, India, and Japan or the G4, stating that “Taking into account the contributions made by the countries, membership of the Council should be divided into permanent and non-permanent Both categories should be expanded upon.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Paris Club this is a group of creditor countries that work together to provide financial solutions to debtor countries facing payment difficulties. The Paris Club’s main objective is to negotiate debt restructuring and provide financial relief to debtor nations.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Climate Club is associated with a group of countries aiming to decarbonize industries. It aims to promote the successful decarbonization of industries for climate and businesses by aligning ambitious policies, practices and standards and improving finance and support for emerging and developed economies, which includes many countries and organizations committed to reducing carbon emissions, including decarbonizing industries.

Answer: D
Context: Recently, the United States has destroyed the last of its declared chemical weapons stockpile, a milestone in the history of warfare dating back to the First World War.
Explanation:
International Court of Justice (ICJ)
● The International Court of Justice (ICJ), often referred to as the World Court, is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations (UN) Which adjudicates general disputes between nations and gives advisory opinions on international legal issues. It is one of the six organs of the United Nations.
● It was established on June 26, 1945, with 193 state parties worldwide.
● The ICJ is the successor to the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), which was established by the League of Nations in 1920.
● The ICJ consists of a panel of 15 judges elected by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council for a nine-year term. And their decisions and opinions are binding on the parties.
● India is a signatory member of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
International Criminal Court (ICC)
● The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands.
● It is the first and only permanent international court with jurisdiction to try individuals for international crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.
● It was established on 1 July 2002 in accordance with the multilateral Rome Statute
● India is not a signatory to this.
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
● The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an intergovernmental organization and the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which entered into force on 29 April 1997.
● OPCW comprises 193 member states. Its headquarters are The Hague, Netherlands.
● The organization promotes and verifies adherence to the Chemical Weapons Convention,
● The organization was awarded the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize “for its comprehensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons”.
● India is a member of The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
● The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is a non-United Nations intergovernmental organization headquartered at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands. Which has joint membership of 122 contracting parties.
● It provides guidance on a range of legal issues related to territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, international investment, and international and regional trade.
● The Permanent Court of Arbitration, established by treaty in 1899, is an intergovernmental organization providing a variety of dispute resolution services to the international community.
● India is a party to the Permanent Court of Arbitration as per the 1899 Convention.
Hence, option (d) is correct.

Answer: A
Context: Recently, researchers have devised a Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool that enables appropriate agroforestry and aids systematic ecosystem restoration.
Explanation:
Statement 1 is correct: Diversity for Restoration (D4R), an online tool by researchers at Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), which helps in adopting appropriate agroforestry and reforestation practices. The purpose of this tool is to improve decision making and sustainable development. To promote and support restoration programs in India.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Diversity for Restoration (D4R) tool has been developed by Biodiversity International. It is designed to help promote effective agroforestry and ecosystem restoration.

Answer: B
Context: Brussels held a unique Nuclear Energy Summit, considered the biggest international gathering on nuclear energy.
Explanation:
Atoms4NetZero is an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiative that supports Member States’ efforts to harness the power of nuclear energy in the transition to net zero. Launched during COP27, this initiative provides data-driven energy scenario modelling to decision makers. It is part of a multilateral approach to decarbonization.
Hence, option (B) is correct.

Answer: C
Context: The fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment (INC-4), opened in Canada’s capital, Ottawa.
Explanation:
In 13 to 19 November 2023, at the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly, a landmark resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument (ILBI) on plastic pollution, including the marine environment. The resolution included the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The Executive Director of Plastics Ltd. has been requested to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) to develop a “tool” based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the entire life cycle of plastics.
● The Global Plastics Pact aims to establish a global framework of standards around accountability, responsibilities, financing, material/chemical standards, import/export restrictions, targets.
● The first session of the INC (INC-1) took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from 28 November to 2 December 2022.
● This was followed by the second session (INC-2) in Paris, France from 29 May to 2 June 2023. Session (INC-3) from 13 to 19 November 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.INC-5 is scheduled for 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.
Hence, option (C) is correct.