UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today’s subject quiz on the International Relations Quiz to check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Weekly Current Affairs.

With reference to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), consider the following statements:

1. The heads of government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) 2024 was held in Pakistan.

2. Combating terrorism is not included in the goals and tasks of the SCO.

3. The official language of the SCO is English.

4. Mongolia is the recent permanent member to join SCO.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Explanation

— The heads of government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Islamabad which was attended by India, Pakistan, China, Russia and six other member countries. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— In his address, Jaishankar listed the key challenges that the SCO was committed to combating — terrorism, separatism and extremism. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The origin of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation lies in the “Shanghai Five”, formed in 1996 and consisting of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

— The collapse of the Soviet Union into 15 independent countries in 1991 raised fears in the region about the rise of radical religious groups and ethnic tensions. To address these challenges, a group was formed to coordinate security efforts.

— On June 15, 2001, the Shanghai Cooperation institution (SCO) was created as an international institution, with Uzbekistan joining as the sixth member.

— It had ten members: India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. (latest member to join: Belarus).

— Afghanistan and Mongolia hold Observer Status. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.

— The official languages of the SCO are Russian and Chinese. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: eng.sectsco.org)

With reference to the United Nations, consider the following statements:

1. It is an international organisation founded in 1945.

2. All UN Member States are members of the Security Council.

3. The Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council for a 2-year term.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Explanation

— October 24, 2024 marks 79 years since the United Nations was formed. Originally mandated to replace the League of Nations, the UN came about at a tumultuous time – World War II had just ended, leaving a new global order in its wake.

— The agency was responsible for ensuring peace and security and promoting international collaboration while respecting human rights and self-determination for various populations.

— The United Nations is an international organisation established in 1945. The United Nations, which currently has 193 member states, is driven by the aims and ideals outlined in its founding Charter. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— The all UN member states are member of the General Assembly. States are admitted to membership by a General Assembly decision based on the Security Council’s recommendation. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

— The Secretary-General is the UN’s Chief Administrative Officer. He or she is appointed by the General Assembly on the Security Council’s proposal for a five-year, renewable term. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: http://www.un.org)

With reference to the places in news, consider the following pairs:

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Which of the following countries is set to enforce a stricter minimum age limit of 15 for using social media?

(a) Thailand

(b) Finland

(c) Vietnam

(d) Norway

Explanation

— Norway is likely to impose a harsher minimum age limit of 15 for social media use, as the government ramps up its campaign against internet giants, alleging they are “pitted against small children’s brains,” according to The Guardian.

— Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre acknowledged the difficulty ahead, characterising it as “an uphill battle,” but emphasised the necessity for political action to safeguard children from “the power of algorithms.”

— Norway currently has a minimum age limit of 13 for using social media. However, according to research conducted by the Norwegian media regulator, more than half of nine-year-olds (58% of 10-year-olds and 72% of 11-year-olds) are already using these sites.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Which of the following African countries is not a part of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)?

(a) Eswatini

(b) Botswana

(c) South Africa

(d) Egypt

Explanation

— Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged $51 billion of funding to African countries at the ninth edition of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing.

— The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was established in 2000 to formalise the strategic partnership between China and African nations. A summit is conducted every three years, with the host alternating between China and an African member.

— The FOCAC counts 53 African nations as its members – the entire continent except Eswatini, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan against Beijing’s “One China” Policy.

— The African Union Commission, the continental bloc tasked with ensuring cooperation and economic integration across its member countries, is also a member.

Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 81)

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Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 80)

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