Target Tspsc Theme2 International Relations and Events 34031660

TARGET TSPSC
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND EVENTS

Quick and comprehensive series
USEFUL FOR UPSC, TSPSC AND UPSC AND OTHER
COMPETITIVE EXAMS
Features of this e-Book
1. Targeted Preparation: Aligned with the latest syllabus(UPSC, TSPSC, APPSC).

2. Previous Year Advantage: Includes insightful analysis of previous year question papers
3. Exam Pattern Focus: Crafted with the UPSC ,TSPSC and APPSC exam pattern in mind
4. Enhanced Learning: Enriched with tables, pictures, and diagrams
5. Comprehensive Coverage: Addresses a wide range of topics as per the syllabus
6. Valuable Resource: Ideal for aspirants preparing for UPSC, TSPSC, and APPSC exams,
offering a strategic and well-structured study guide.
Prepared by
1. MD.Younus (B.Tech IIIT-Basar)
2. K.Harshith (B.Tech IIIT-Basar)
3. G.Venkatesh(B.Tech JNTU )
FOREWORD
On the Threshold of Opportunity: International Relations and Events for UPSC, TSPSC
AND APPSC EXAM Aspirants
The coveted halls of the Indian Civil Service beckon, and for those seeking to navigate the
ever-shifting landscape of global affairs, a deep understanding of International Relations and
Events is paramount. This book serves as your compass, meticulously crafted to guide you on
your path to success.
Unveiling a Multifaceted Approach:
We understand that success in the exam demands a comprehensive approach. That's why we've
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meticulously curated content from a diverse range of authoritative sources like Yojana magazine,
The Hindu newspaper, the Press Information Bureau, and government websites. This ensures
you're exposed to a well-rounded perspective on current events and international relations.
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Tailored for Your Success:
We haven't stopped at mere information gathering. The content within these pages has been
meticulously tailored specifically for the needs of UPSC, TSPSC, and APPSC aspirants. Through
rigorous analysis of past exam trends, we've pinpointed the areas each exam prioritizes. This
ensures you optimize your preparation time by focusing on the most critical topics.
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Within these pages, you'll discover:
● Strategic Insights: Sharpen your focus on the most critical International Relations and
Events topics relevant to UPSC, TSPSC, and APPSC exams.
● UPSC, TSPSC AND APPSC EXAMS-Tailored Content: Dive into meticulously crafted
insights designed to meet the specific demands of each exam.
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● Invaluable Analysis: Gain a deeper understanding through the exploration of past

questions and answer strategies employed by successful candidates.
● Authoritative Sources: Gain confidence knowing your knowledge is built upon a
foundation of credible sources.
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This book is more than just an information source; it's a strategic companion, equipping you
with the knowledge and confidence to excel in your chosen civil service exam. Consider it your
stepping stone to a future brimming with possibilities.
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THANKS AND REGARDS

TARGET TPSC TEAM
1. MD.YOUNUS
2. K.HARSHITH
3. G.VENKATESH
Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 1

Very Useful for Group-1,Group-2,Group-3 and other Competitive Exams
PYQ Theme
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
UNITED NATIONS AND ITS MAIN ORGANS.................................................................................. 6
UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION-1945.................................................................................7
The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO..................................................................... 25
Universal Postal Union (UPU):............................................................................................... 25
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)............................................................... 26
United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG)............................................... 26
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)............................................................................ 26
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)................................... 27
United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF18).........................................................................28
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)............................................28
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United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)......................................................28
WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All................................................................ 29
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Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF).......................................................................................... 29
UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)............................................................................... 30
United Nations Volunteers (UNV)........................................................................................... 30
World Food Programme (WFP).............................................................................................. 31
RELATED ORGANIZATIONS................................................................................................... 31
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World Trade Organization (WTO)........................................................................................... 31
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).........................................................................33
International Organization for Migration (IOM)..................................................................... 33
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)........................................34
CEB MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS........................................................................................... 34
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OTHER UNITED NATIONS INITIATIVES

UN Women................................................................................................................................35
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)............................................... 35
UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC).....................................................................................35
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UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)...................................................36

U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund..............................................................................36
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)................................................................36
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Global Compact for Migration................................................................................................ 37

United Nations Global Compact.............................................................................................37
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Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development.......................................................... 37

World Restoration Flagships.................................................................................................. 38
UN Peacekeeping Mission...................................................................................................... 38
Blue Helmets............................................................................................................................ 39
UNITAMS...................................................................................................................................39
IMPORTANT MULTILATERAL GROUPS
SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)............................................ 41
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic
Cooperation)............................................................................................................................ 41
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)...............................................................42
BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Initiative.............................................................. 43

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).......................................................................... 43
BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China).............................................................................44
INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA (IBSA).................................................................................. 45
I2U2 (India, Israel, U.S., UAE)................................................................................................. 46
Quad (Quadrilateral Group).................................................................................................... 46
Abraham Accord......................................................................................................................47
AUKUS (Australia, UK, US)..................................................................................................... 47
Five Eyes Alliance................................................................................................................... 47
Collective Security Treaty Organisation(CSTO)................................................................... 48
NATO......................................................................................................................................... 49
The "Bucharest Nine"..............................................................................................................49
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OTHER IMPORTANT GROUPINGS G4,G7,G10,G12,G20,G77
The G7.......................................................................................................................................50
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G4 (GROUP OF FOUR):........................................................................................................... 51
G10 (GROUP OF TEN):............................................................................................................ 51
G12 (GROUP OF TWELVE) :................................................................................................... 52
G20:...........................................................................................................................................52
G20 (Group of Twenty): A Global Economic Powerhouse...................................................52
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G20 SUMMIT, NEW DELHI:......................................................................................................54
18th G20 Summit in New Delhi............................................................................................... 54
Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).............................................................................................. 55
G20 Lauds India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Financial Inclusion................... 56
G20 Targets Tripled Renewable Energy Capacity by 2030.................................................. 56
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G20 Tackles Food Security Challenges.................................................................................57

SHERPAS:................................................................................................................................ 58
G11 Grouping........................................................................................................................... 59
The Group of 77 (G77):............................................................................................................60
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):............................................................. 61
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INTERNATIONAL GROUPINGS
European Union....................................................................................................................... 61
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European Commission:.......................................................................................................... 62
European Court of Justice (ECJ):.......................................................................................... 62
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Council of Europe:...................................................................................................................63
European Court of Human Rights:.........................................................................................63
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU):........................................................................................63
Eastern Economic Forum (EEF):............................................................................................63
The African Union (AU)........................................................................................................... 64
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):................................................. 64
East Asia Summit.................................................................................................................... 65
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):........................................................................65
Organization of Islamic Cooperation..................................................................................... 65
Gulf Cooperation Council....................................................................................................... 66
Arab League (League of Arab States):.................................................................................. 66

Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC):............................................. 67
CARICOM Countries................................................................................................................67
Commonwealth of Nations:.................................................................................................... 67
Arctic Council.......................................................................................................................... 68
MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market):............................................................................ 68
NAM Summit............................................................................................................................ 69
19th NAM SUMMIT:.................................................................................................................. 69
China’s 17+1.............................................................................................................................70
Organization of American States (OAS):...............................................................................70
APEC SUMMIT 2023:............................................................................................................... 70
WEAPONS AND NUCLEAR RELATED CONVENTIONS
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Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).................................................................72
Conventions Controlling Weapons of Mass Destruction.................................................... 73
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Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)....................................................... 73
Pelindaba Treaty...................................................................................................................... 73
UN Arms Trade Treaty............................................................................................................. 74
JCPOA:..................................................................................................................................... 74
New START Treaty................................................................................................................... 75
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Indo-US Nuclear Deal.............................................................................................................. 75
Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC)............................................................................................76
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)................................................................................. 76
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)................................................................................ 76
Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage..................................77
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ENVIRONMENT RELATED CONVENTIONS

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)................................................ 77
UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)......................................................................78
United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)....................................... 79
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Minamata Convention on Mercury......................................................................................... 79

Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)......................................79
First Movers Coalition............................................................................................................. 80
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OTHER IMPORTANT CONVENTIONS

Astana Declaration.................................................................................................................. 80
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Ashgabat Agreement (2016)................................................................................................... 81

Hague Adoption Convention.................................................................................................. 81
Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC)......................................................................................... 81
Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling.......................................................................... 82
Budapest Convention..............................................................................................................82
1951 Refugee Convention.......................................................................................................82
Geneva Conventions............................................................................................................... 83
Montreux Convention..............................................................................................................83
UN Convention against Torture.............................................................................................. 83
Singapore Convention on Mediation..................................................................................... 83
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).................................................................................................84

UN High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty)......................... 84
Vienna Convention (1961)....................................................................................................... 84
Warsaw Convention.................................................................................................................85
TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)..........................................85
Kimberley Process.................................................................................................................. 86
Mission Innovation.................................................................................................................. 86
TIR Convention (Transports Internationaux Routiers Convention).................................... 86
Cape Town Convention........................................................................................................... 86
Antarctic Treaty........................................................................................................................87
Open Skies Treaty....................................................................................................................87
Raisina Dialogue......................................................................................................................87
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Caspian Sea Breakthrough Treaty......................................................................................... 87
UNCAC :....................................................................................................................................88
IMPORTANT NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY CONTROL MECHANISMS
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Wassenaar Arrangement.........................................................................................................89
Nuclear Suppliers Group........................................................................................................ 89
Missile Technology Control Regime...................................................................................... 89
Australia Group........................................................................................................................90
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Conference on Disarmament..................................................................................................90
UN Disarmament Commission............................................................................................... 90
IMPORTANT TRADE AGREEMENTS
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).................................................... 91
RCEP.........................................................................................................................................92
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Asia Pacific Trade Agreement................................................................................................ 92

Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership.............................................. 93
NAFTA....................................................................................................................................... 93
Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI)............................................................................. 93
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European Free Trade Association..........................................................................................94

IMPORTANT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
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International Monetary Fund.................................................................................................. 94

The World Bank Group (WBG)............................................................................................... 95
World Bank............................................................................................................................... 96
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New Development Bank.......................................................................................................... 96

Asian Development Bank........................................................................................................97
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank...................................................................................97
European Bank for Reconstruction & Development............................................................ 98
Bank for International Settlements........................................................................................ 98
IMPORTANT JUDICIAL ORGANIZATIONS
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT:.................................................................................... 99
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) :...................................................................... 99
PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION:........................................................................... 100
IMPORTANT MARITIME ORGANIZATIONS

UNCLOS:................................................................................................................................ 101
ITLOS...................................................................................................................................... 102
The Neptune Declaration...................................................................................................... 102
International Whaling Commission (IWC)........................................................................... 102
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).................................................................................103
Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES).. 104
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).............................................................................. 104
Indian Ocean Commission....................................................................................................104
Seabed 2030........................................................................................................................... 104
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)......................................................105
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC).............................................................................. 105
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International Seabed Authority (ISA)................................................................................... 105
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UNITED NATIONS
Match the following UN specialized agencies with their headquarters (TSPSC PYQ 2023)
UN Agency Headquarter
A. FAO I. New York
B. UNIDO II. Geneva
C. ILO III. Rome
D. UNESCO IV. Paris
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V. Vienna
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Choose the correct answer:
(1) A-III; B-V; C-II; D-IV
(2) A-IV; B-III; C-II; D-I
(3) A-II; B-I; C-IV; D-V
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(4) A-V; B-IV; C-I; D-II
UNITED NATIONS and Its Main Organs

United Nations Secretary-Generals -Years-Countries:
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Secretary-General Years Served Country
Trygve Lie 1946–1952 Norway
Dag Hammarskjöld 1953–1961 Sweden

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U Thant 1961–1971 Myanmar (Burma)

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Kurt Waldheim 1972–1981 Austria

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Javier Pérez de Cuéllar 1982–1991 Peru
Boutros Boutros-Ghali 1992–1996 Egypt
Kofi Annan 1997–2006 Ghana
Ban Ki-moon 2007–2016 South Korea
António Guterres 2017–present Portugal

UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION-1945
Introduction
● Founded in 1945 after the devastation of World War II.
● Aims to promote international cooperation and maintain global peace and
security.
● Currently has 193 member states.
Guiding Principles (Founding Charter Preamble)

● Prevent future wars: Aims to spare future generations
from the horrors of war.
● Human Rights: Reaffirms faith in fundamental human
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rights, dignity, and worth of every person.
● Equality: Promotes equal rights for all, regardless of
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gender or nation size.
● International Law: Supports upholding justice and
respecting international treaties and laws.
● Global Well-being: Works towards social progress,
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improved living standards, and greater freedom.
Main Organs (Established in 1945)

● General Assembly: Main deliberative body, representing all member states.
● Security Council: Maintains international peace and security, can authorize force.
● Economic and Social Council: Promotes international economic and social
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cooperation.
● Trusteeship Council: (Currently inactive) Supervised territories placed under UN
trusteeship.
● International Court of Justice: Settles legal disputes between member states.
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● UN Secretariat: Provides administrative support and carries out programs.
UN General Assembly
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The General Assembly (GA) is the heart of the United Nations, serving as its main:
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● Deliberative Body: Provides a platform for member states to discuss and debate
critical international issues.
● Policymaking Body: Through resolutions and pronouncements, shapes
international norms and policy direction.
● Representative Body: Ensures all member states have a voice in the UN's work.
Key Features:
● Universal Representation: All 193 UN members participate, fostering inclusivity
and diverse perspectives.
● Voting System:

○ Important Issues: Peace and security, new members, and budget require a
two-thirds majority for decisions.
○ Other Issues: A simple majority vote decides outcomes.
● Leadership: The GA elects a President annually to guide its work for a one-year
term.
UN Security Council
The Security Council (SC) is the UN's muscle for maintaining global peace and security.
It has the power to make decisions binding on all UN member states.
Key Functions:
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● Crisis Management: Acts as the primary body to address threats to international
peace, including internal conflicts, disasters, and terrorism.
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● Threat Assessment: Regularly evaluates potential security risks across the globe.
Structure and Challenges:

● Permanent Members (P5): China, France, Russia, UK, and US hold veto power,
allowing them to block any resolution.
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● Elected Members: Ten non-permanent members serve two-year terms without
veto power.
● Reform Debates: The council's structure, unchanged since 1946, is a point of
contention. Some argue for reform to reflect the current global power dynamics.
● Veto Power: The P5's veto power has sometimes impeded the council's ability to
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respond effectively to major crises, like Syria's civil war or the COVID-19
pandemic.
Presidency Rotation:
● The presidency of the Security Council changes monthly, giving some control
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over the agenda to the ten elected non-permanent members.

● Eligibility for Election: Focuses on contributions to maintaining peace, including
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financial or troop support for peacekeeping missions, or leadership in regional

security issues.
● Regional Representation: Seats are allocated based on geographical regions:
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○ Africa: 3 seats
○ Asia-Pacific: 2 seats
○ Eastern Europe: 1 seat
○ Latin America & Caribbean: 2 seats
○ Western Europe & Others: 2 seats
Current Members:
The Security Council consists of 15 members:

● 5 Permanent Members: China, France, Russia, UK, and US (with veto power).

● 10 Non-Permanent Members: Elected for two-year terms by the General
Assembly (current members listed with their term end year).
Functions and Powers: The Security Council, as the UN's primary body for maintaining
international peace and security, holds a vast array of powers as defined by the UN
Charter. Here's a breakdown of its key functions:
● Maintaining Peace: This is the Council's core responsibility. It can investigate
potential conflicts, recommend solutions to disputes between countries, and take
action to prevent or stop aggression.
● Conflict Resolution: The Council can investigate situations that might lead to
international friction and recommend methods for peaceful settlement.
● Arms Regulation: The Council has the authority to formulate plans for regulating
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armaments and controlling the spread of weapons.
● Threat Assessment and Action: The Council can determine if a threat to peace or
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an act of aggression exists. Based on this assessment, it can recommend various
actions, including:
○ Sanctions: Imposing economic or political sanctions on countries to
pressure them to comply with international law.
○ Military Action: Authorizing the use of military force through UN
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peacekeeping missions or collective action by member states.
● UN Membership: The Council recommends the admission of new member states
to the UN.
● Other Responsibilities: The Council also has the power to:
○ Oversee the UN's trusteeship function (currently inactive).
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○ Recommend the appointment of the UN Secretary-General.

○ Elect, together with the General Assembly, the Judges of the International
Court of Justice.
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Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

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About:
Established by the UN Charter in 1945, it is the principal body for coordination, policy
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review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental

issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.
It has 54 members, elected by the UN General Assembly for overlapping three-year

terms.
It is the UN's central platform for reflection, debate and innovative thinking on
Sustainable Development. Each year, ECOSOC structures its work around an annual
theme of global importance to sustainable development.
It coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, ten functional

commissions and five regional commissions, receives reports from nine UN funds

and programmes and issues policy recommendations to the UN system and to
member states.
Few Important Bodies under the Purview of ECOSOC:
International Labour Organization( ILO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO),

UN Economic Social and Cultural Organization(UNESCO), World Health
Organization(WHO), UN International Children Emergency Fund(UNICEF) and
Bretton Woods Twins World Bank Group(WBG) and International Monetary
Fund(IMF).
Apart from these there are various Functional and Regional Commissions, Standing
Committees, Ad Hoc and Expert Bodies as well.
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International Court of Justice (ICJ)
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The World Court:
● The ICJ is the UN's primary judicial body, settling legal disputes between member
states.
● Location: Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands (setting it apart from other
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main UN organs in New York).
Function:
● Resolves legal disputes submitted by states based on international law.
● Issues advisory opinions on legal questions from authorized UN bodies and
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agencies.
Composition:
● 15 judges elected for nine-year terms by the General Assembly and Security
Council.
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● One-third of judges are elected every three years to ensure continuity.

● Judges can be re-elected.
● The Court is supported by a Registry, its administrative arm.
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● English and French are the official languages.

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Types of Cases:
● Contentious Cases: Legal disputes submitted by states against each other.
● Advisory Proceedings: Providing legal advice on questions from UN entities.
Secretariat: The UN's Engine
The Secretariat is the backbone of the United Nations, keeping the organization running
smoothly. Here's a breakdown of its key components:
● Leadership:

○ Secretary-General: The chief administrative officer, appointed by the
General Assembly on the Security Council's recommendation. They serve a
five-year term with the possibility of renewal.
● Staff:
○ International Team: UN staff members are recruited from around the
world, bringing a global perspective to the UN's work.
○ Global Reach: They work at UN headquarters in New York and on
peacekeeping missions worldwide.
Function:
The Secretariat acts as the UN's central nervous system, carrying out the day-to-day
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tasks mandated by the General Assembly and other key UN organs. This includes:
● Implementing programs and policies decided by member states.
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● Providing expert advice and analysis on various issues.
● Organizing international conferences and meetings.
Trusteeship Council: A Mission Accomplished

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The Trusteeship Council, established in 1945, had a specific historical purpose:
● Mission: To oversee 11 Trust Territories placed under the administration of UN
member states.
● Goal: To guide these territories towards self-government or independence.
● Historical Context: Following World War I, the League of Nations (predecessor to
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the UN) assigned control of former German and Ottoman territories to European
countries. These became known as League of Nations Mandates. After World War
II and the UN's formation, these territories were redesignated as UN Trust
Territories.
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● Success and Suspension: By 1994, all Trust Territories had achieved

self-determination. Having fulfilled its mandate, the Trusteeship Council
suspended operations in November 1994.
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● Current Status: Technically, the Council still exists, though it's inactive. It can
reconvene, if necessary, based on decisions by its President, a majority of its
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members, or upon request from the General Assembly or Security Council.

● Key Takeaway: The Trusteeship Council stands as a unique example of a UN body
that successfully completed its mission and transitioned to inactivity.
UNITED NATIONS and Its Specialized Agencies
The World Bank Group (WBG)

The World Bank Group (WBG) is a conglomerate of five international organizations
aimed at providing leveraged loans to developing countries. Here's a breakdown of its
constituents:
1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD): Established in

1944 to fund the post-World War II reconstruction efforts primarily in Europe. It
offers loans at preferential rates to middle-income and creditworthy
low-income countries.
2. International Development Association (IDA): Founded in 1960, IDA extends
interest-free loans and grants to the world's poorest countries, focusing on
poverty reduction initiatives.
3. International Finance Corporation (IFC): Created in 1956, the IFC supports the
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private sector in developing nations by providing loans, equity investments,
advisory services, and risk management tools to businesses and financial
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institutions.
4. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA): Established in 1988, MIGA
offers political risk insurance and credit enhancement to encourage foreign direct
investment in developing countries.
5. International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID): Founded in
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1966, ICSID assists in resolving investment disputes between governments and
foreign investors through arbitration and conciliation.
Key Points:
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● Headquarters: Washington D.C., USA

● Membership: Each member country receives voting power according to its capital
share.
● India's Membership: India is a member of four out of the five WBG institutions,
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excluding ICSID.
● Governing Bodies: The main governing bodies include the Board of Governors
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(BOG) and the Board of Directors (BOD). The BOG, comprising representatives
from member countries, meets annually, often jointly with the IMF's BOG. Each
institution within the WBG has its own BOD.
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● Founding Membership: India is one of the founding members of IBRD, IDA, and
IFC.
These organizations operate independently but work collectively under the umbrella of
the World Bank Group to address development challenges worldwide.
The World Bank [WB]
The World Bank, comprising the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA), is a critical

institution established during the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference alongside the
International Monetary Fund (IMF). Here are some key points about the World Bank:
1. Mission: The World Bank aims to tackle global poverty and promote sustainable
development by providing financial assistance, policy advice, and technical
expertise to developing countries.
2. Membership: It consists of 189 member countries, with each country represented
by a Board of Governors (BOG). The BOG serves as the ultimate decision-making
body at the World Bank.
3. Goals:
○ End Extreme Poverty: The World Bank's overarching goal is to reduce the
share of the global population living in extreme poverty to 3% by 2030.
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○ Promote Shared Prosperity: It seeks to increase the incomes of the poorest
40% of people in every country to foster shared prosperity.
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○ Sustainable Development: The World Bank is committed to promoting
sustainable development practices to address environmental and social
challenges.
4. Initiatives and Programs:
○ International Health Partnership (IHP+): Collaborating with the World
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Health Organization, the World Bank administers IHP+ to enhance
healthcare services in developing nations.
○ Clean Air Initiative (CAI): This initiative, led by the World Bank, aims to
improve air quality in cities worldwide through partnerships and
knowledge-sharing.
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5. Reports: The World Bank publishes various reports aimed at providing insights
into global economic trends, development challenges, and policy
recommendations. Some notable reports include:
○ Ease of Doing Business
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○ Global Economic Prospects

○ Global Financial Development Report
○ International Debt Statistics
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○ World Development Report

○ World Development Indicators
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○ Logistic Performance Index

○ Poverty and Shared Prosperity
Through these initiatives and reports, the World Bank plays a crucial role in addressing
poverty, promoting sustainable development, and improving the well-being of people
worldwide.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC)

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) plays a significant role in promoting
private sector development in developing countries.
Key points about IFC:
1. Establishment: Founded in 1956, IFC is the private

sector arm of the World Bank Group, complementing
the efforts of its sister organization, the International
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
2. Mission: IFC's primary mission is to provide financing
for private enterprise investments in developing
countries. It focuses on supporting projects that
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contribute to economic growth, job creation, and
poverty reduction.
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3. Recent Initiatives:
○ Green Equity Approach (GEA): In response to the growing importance of
climate change mitigation, IFC launched the Green Equity Approach in
2020. This initiative aims to increase climate lending and reduce exposure
to coal-related projects among its clients.
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○ GEA Policy Update: IFC has updated its GEA policy to align with global
efforts to combat climate change. Under the updated policy, financial
intermediary clients will no longer be allowed to support new
coal-powered electricity projects.
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India & the World Bank
India's collaboration with the World Bank spans various sectors, including education,
healthcare, water resource management, and community development. Here are some
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key initiatives and projects where India has partnered with the World Bank:
1. Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH): Launched in 2023, this
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initiative aims to improve animal health management using the One Health
approach in five states in India.
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2. Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme-III (TEQIP-III): This

programme, supported by the World Bank, focuses on enhancing the quality of
engineering education in India. Started by the Ministry of Education in 2017 and
concluded on September 30, 2021.
3. National Hydrology Project: Launched in 2016 and supported by the World Bank,
this project aims to improve the quality and accessibility of water resources
information in India
4. Meghalaya Community-led Landscape Management Project: Supported by the
WB and launched in 2018, this project empowers communities in Meghalaya to
manage their natural resources effectively. By strengthening rural communities

and traditional institutions, the project promotes sustainable development and
conservation of natural resources.
5. Indus Waters Treaty: Signed in 1960 with the intervention of the World Bank, the
Indus Waters Treaty is a landmark agreement between India and Pakistan for the
sharing of waters from the Indus River System. The treaty mandates annual
meetings between the commissioners from both countries to discuss cooperation
and resolve disputes related to water sharing.
These initiatives highlight India's commitment to addressing various development

challenges with the support of international organizations like the World Bank,
fostering sustainable growth and improving the well-being of its citizens.
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The World Health Organization (WHO)
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The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948, is a specialized agency of
the United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep
the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest
level of health.
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It began functioning on April 7, 1948 – a date now being
celebrated every year as World Health Day.
It reports to the Economic and Social Council in

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accordance with any agreement between the

Organization and the United Nations.
Here are some key points about WHO:

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Membership and Headquarters: WHO has 194 member countries, and its headquarters
is located in Geneva, Switzerland.
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1. World Health Assembly (WHA): The WHA is the highest decision-making body of
WHO, attended by delegations from all member states. It is composed of health
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ministers from member countries and meets annually in Geneva.

2. Functions of WHA: The main functions of the WHA include determining WHO's
policies, appointing the Director-General, supervising financial policies, and
reviewing and approving the proposed program budget.
3. Recent Developments:
○ The United States withdrew from WHO in 2020 but re-joined in 2021.
○ WHO certified Azerbaijan and Tajikistan as malaria-free, marking
significant progress in eliminating the disease.
○ WHO released the Global Tuberculosis (TB) Report, highlighting the
impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on TB worldwide.

○ The organization released the first-ever fungal priority pathogen list,
identifying fungi posing the greatest threat to public health.
○ WHO established its first offshore Global Centre for Traditional Medicines
(GCTM) in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India, to support the implementation of the
WHO traditional medicine strategy.
○ The World Health Summit 2022, an annual international health
conference, was co-organized by WHO for the first time in Berlin,
Germany.
○ Saima Wazed, the daughter of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina, was
nominated as the next Regional Director for WHO's South-East Asia
region.
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India is a member of WHO, actively participating in its initiatives and contributing to
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global health efforts.
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) serves as the global forum for
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intellectual property services, policy, information, and cooperation. Here are some key
points about WIPO:
1. Establishment and Membership: WIPO was

established in 1967 and currently has 193 member
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states.
2. Aim: The primary aim of WIPO is to promote the
worldwide protection of both industrial property
(such as inventions, trademarks, and designs) and
copyrighted materials (including literary, musical,
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photographic, and other artistic works).

3. Headquarters: WIPO is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
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4. Predecessor: WIPO's predecessor was the United International Bureaux for the
Protection of Intellectual Property (BIPRI), which administered two conventions:
the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property and the Berne
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Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works. BIRPI was
transformed to become WIPO.
5. Treaties: WIPO administers 26 treaties, including the WIPO Convention. One
notable treaty is the Marrakesh Treaty, which facilitates access to published
works for the blind, visually impaired, and print disabled. India was the first
country to sign this treaty.
India's Engagement with WIPO:

● In 2018, India acceded to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty and
WIPO Copyright Treaty, collectively known as the WIPO Internet Treaties.
● These treaties, which are special agreements under the Berne Convention, extend
coverage of copyright to the internet and digital environment, ensuring
intellectual property protection in the digital age.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United

Nations established in 1950 for meteorology, operational hydrology, and related
geophysical sciences. Here's a summary of key points about WMO:
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1. Establishment and Membership: Founded in 1950, WMO
became a specialized agency of the UN in 1951. It has
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since fostered collaboration between the National
Meteorological and Hydrological Services of its member
countries.
2. Mission: WMO's mission includes providing forecasts
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and early warnings to nations to help prevent and
mitigate disasters. It also monitors and forecasts various
environmental phenomena such as chemical and oil
spills, forest fires, volcanic ash, haze, and nuclear
isotopes.
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3. Supreme Body: The World Meteorological Congress serves as the supreme body
of WMO.
4. Headquarters: WMO's headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland.
5. Reports and Initiatives:
○ WMO publishes reports such as the State of the Global Climate report
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(annual) and the State of Global Water Resources.

○ Recent developments include the approval of the Global Greenhouse Gas
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Watch (G3W) initiative by the World Meteorological Congress. G3W aims to

establish internationally coordinated monitoring of greenhouse gas fluxes
to support the UNFCCC parties and other stakeholders.
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India's Engagement with WMO:
● India has been designated as a nodal center for preparing flash-flood forecasts
by WMO.
● India will develop a customized model under the Flash Flood Guidance System to
issue advance warnings of floods in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand,
providing forecasts up to 6 hours in advance.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC):

● Established in 1988 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and WMO.
● IPCC is responsible for assessing the science related to climate change and
preparing comprehensive Assessment Reports and Special Reports.
● IPCC's 6th assessment cycle (AR6) began in 2015 and concluded with the release
of the Synthesis Report (SR) in 2023, based on reports from its three Working
Groups and three Special Reports.
UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization]
UNESCO plays a significant role in promoting peace, social justice, human rights,
and international security through various educational, scientific, and cultural
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programs. Here's a breakdown of key points about UNESCO:
● Mission: UNESCO aims to foster international
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cooperation in educational, scientific, and cultural
programs to promote peace and social justice. It has a
wide range of missions, including promoting sex
education, literacy, clean water, and equality for women.
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● Membership: With 194 member states, UNESCO is based
in Paris, France. It recognized Palestine as a member in
2011, and the United States, which had previously
withdrawn, has rejoined the organization.
● Global Initiatives:
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○ UNESCO is known for its World Heritage Mission, which encourages

countries to protect Natural and Cultural Heritage sites.
○ It publishes the Global Education Monitoring report and Gender Parity
Index.
○ It leads the Man and Biosphere Programme for protecting Biosphere
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reserves worldwide.
● UNESCO Creative City Network (UCCN):
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○ Launched in 2004, UCCN fosters cooperation among member cities

committed to investing in creativity for sustainable urban development
and cultural vibrancy.
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○ The network recognizes seven creative fields, including crafts and folk
arts, media arts, film, design, gastronomy, literature and music.
○ In 2023 Two Indian cities, Kozhikode in Kerala as the ‘City of Literature’
and Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh as the ‘City of Music’, were included in
the list of 55 creative cities.
○ Other Indian cities in the UCCN include Jaipur: Crafts and Folk Arts (2015),
Varanasi: Creative City of Music (2015), Chennai: Creative City of Music
(2017), Mumbai: Film (2019), Hyderabad: Gastronomy (2019), and
Srinagar: Crafts and Folk Art (2021).
● UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

○ World Heritage Sites are cultural and/or natural sites considered to have
Outstanding Universal Value. India has 42 sites on the World Heritage List,
including cultural, natural, and mixed sites.
○ India's sites range from the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort to the Sacred
Ensembles of Hoysala Temples and Santiniketan. Ahmedabad and Jaipur
are among the Indian cities listed as World Heritage Sites.
● India's Engagement with UNESCO:
○ India has been elected as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of
UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural
Heritage.
○ The UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation
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program recognizes conservation efforts in the region since 2000.
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UNESCO's diverse initiatives and partnerships contribute significantly to the
preservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage worldwide, as well as to the
advancement of education and scientific research.
UNIDO [United Nations Industrial Development Organization]

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UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, serves as the UN
coordinating body for industrial development, poverty reduction, and environmental
sustainability.
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Here are some key points about UNIDO:
1. Mission and Objectives:

○ UNIDO's mission, as outlined in
the Lima Declaration of 2013, is to
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promote Inclusive and Sustainable

Industrial Development (ISID)
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among its 172 member states.

○ The main objectives of UNIDO
include promoting industrial
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growth and technological progress, utilizing human resources effectively,

achieving equitable development through industrialization, and fostering
international cooperation in industrial investment and technology.
2. Headquarters: UNIDO is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
UNIDO's work aligns closely with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
particularly Goal 9, which focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting
inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

UNIDO's efforts contribute to poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, and
equitable development by supporting industrial growth, enhancing technological
capabilities, and promoting international cooperation in industrial investment and
technology.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United
Nations dedicated to eliminating hunger, improving nutrition, and increasing
agricultural productivity. Here's a summary of FAO's key
points:
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● Establishment and Objective:
○ FAO was established in 1945 with the goal of
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eliminating hunger and improving nutrition
and standards of living by increasing
agricultural productivity.
○ Its headquarters is located in Rome, Italy.
● Funding: FAO receives 100% of its funding from its
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member countries.
Key Programmes:
● FAO implements various programs focused on food security, including initiatives

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like the Codex Alimentarius and the International Plant Protection Convention
(IPPC).
● The Food Price Index (FFPI) is a monthly measure of changes in international
prices of key food commodities.
FAO publishes flagship reports such as The State of the World's Forests, The State
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●
of Agricultural Commodity Markets, The State of World Fisheries and
Aquaculture, and The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.
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● Recent Developments:
The Committee on Forestry (COFO) is FAO's forestry statutory body.

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The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(ITPGRFA), also known as the Plant Treaty or Seed Treaty, was adopted by FAO in 2001.
India & FAO:
● India celebrated 2018 as the 'National Year of Millets' and notified millets as
Nutri-cereals, allowing their inclusion in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
● The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International
Year of Millets upon India's request.

● Additionally, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, established in 1963 by FAO
and the World Health Organization (WHO), is an international food safety and
quality standard-setting body. India became a member of the Codex Alimentarius
in 1964, and the commission has standards for various food products, including
sorghum and pearl millet.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) plays a crucial role in stabilizing the global
economy and providing financial assistance to member countries facing economic
challenges. Here's a summary of key points about the IMF:
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1. Establishment and Objective:
○ The IMF was established in 1944
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at the Bretton Woods Conference
to promote economic cooperation
and stability after the Great
Depression.
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○ It has 190 member countries and
is headquartered in Washington,
D.C.
○ The primary aim of the IMF is to
provide financial assistance to
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member countries experiencing balance of payments problems.

2. Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) and Gold Reserves:
○ SDRs are international reserve assets created by the IMF to supplement
member countries' official reserves.
○ Gold remains an important asset in the reserve holdings of several
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countries.
3. Quota System:
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○ IMF quotas determine each member country's financial contribution and

voting power.
○ Quotas are distributed based on a formula considering a country's GDP,
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economic openness, variability, and international reserves.

4. Source of Funding:
○ Quotas are the IMF's primary source of financing, supplemented by the
New Arrangement to Borrow (NAB) and bilateral borrowing agreements.
○ Concessional lending and debt relief for low-income countries are financed
through separate trust funds.
○ IMF bailouts, like the $3 billion support provided to Sri Lanka, assist
countries facing severe economic crises.

○ IMF lends money to countries in the form of SDRs, which can be executed
in various forms such as loans, cash, bonds, or stock purchases.
6. India and the IMF:
○ India is a founding member of the IMF and holds the 8th largest quota
among member countries.
○ India has not taken financial assistance from the IMF since 1993, and all
loans taken previously were repaid by May 2000.
○ The finance minister serves as the ex-officio Governor on the Board of
Governors of the IMF, while the RBI Governor serves as the Alternate
Governor.
○ India's current quota in the IMF is 13,114 million SDR, representing 2.75%
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of total SDR holdings, with 2.63% of total voting power.
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The International Labour Organization (ILO)

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The International Labour Organization (ILO) serves as a critical forum for setting and
overseeing international labour standards, aiming to
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promote decent work and social justice globally. Here's a

breakdown of key points regarding the ILO:
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1. Establishment and Objectives:

○ Founded in 1919 by the Versailles Peace
Treaty, it became the first specialized agency
associated with the UN after the League of
Nations' dissolution.
○ With 187 member states, the ILO's
headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.
○ Its primary goal is to draw up and supervise international labor standards,
promoting decent work and social justice.
2. Tripartite Structure:

○ The ILO is unique as the only tripartite UN agency, bringing together
governments, employers, and workers to develop labor standards and
policies.
○ Certain member countries are designated as nations of "Chief Industrial
Importance," including Brazil, China, India, and others.
3. Key Functions and Instruments:
○ The ILO Governing Body is its apex executive body, meeting thrice a year to
set policy, decide conference agendas, and elect the Director-General.
○ The International Labour Conference, held annually, establishes broad ILO
policies.
○ ILO Recommendations serve as guiding principles for national policy
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processes.
○ Notable instruments include Convention 138 and Convention 182, focusing
on child labor eradication.
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○ In 1988, the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
was adopted to eliminate forced labor, child labor, and workplace
discrimination.
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○ In 2015, a recommendation on "Employment and Decent Work for Peace
and Resilience" was adopted, guiding member states in crisis situations.
○ The Singapore Declaration, from the 17th Asia-Pacific Regional Meeting,
urges countries to ensure labor protections.
5. India and ILO:
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○ India is a founding member and ratified Conventions 138 and 182 in 2017.
○ It held the chairmanship of the ILO's governing body from October 2020 to
June 2021.
○ Member countries, including India, undergo periodic reporting every four
years after ratifying ILO conventions.
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India's engagement with the ILO reflects its commitment to promoting decent work and
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labor rights nationally and internationally, contributing to global efforts to address

labor-related challenges.
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International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD):
● Established in 1977 as a specialized UN agency headquartered in Rome, Italy,

IFAD focuses on financing agricultural and rural development programs in
developing countries.
● Originating from the World Food Conference of 1974, IFAD provides low-interest
loans and grants to support innovative agricultural and rural development
projects.
● India is a founding member of IFAD, demonstrating its commitment to
addressing agricultural challenges globally.

● IFAD's initiatives aim to alleviate poverty, improve food security, and promote
sustainable agricultural practices in developing nations.
International Maritime Organization (IMO):
● Founded in 1948 and headquartered in London, United

Kingdom, IMO is the leading global authority on maritime
safety, security, and environmental performance in
international shipping.
● With 175 member states and 3 associate members, IMO sets
standards to enhance maritime safety, prevent marine
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pollution, and regulate various aspects of international
shipping.
● India has a longstanding association with IMO, having been
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elected to its council since its inception, except for a brief
period.
● IMO conventions such as the Ballast Water Management
Convention (2004) and the Bunker Convention (2001) address critical issues like
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preventing the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and ensuring compensation
for oil spill damage.
● While India has not ratified the Ballast Water and Bunker conventions, it has
ratified the Nairobi Convention (2007) concerning the removal of shipwrecks,
emphasizing its commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection.
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India's re-election to the IMO Council underscores its active engagement and leadership
in promoting maritime safety and security at the international level. Through its
involvement in IFAD and IMO, India contributes to global efforts aimed at achieving
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sustainable agricultural development and enhancing safety standards in international

shipping.
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International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO):

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● Established after the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation in 1944,

ICAO sets standards and regulations to ensure safety, security, efficiency, and
environmental protection in civil aviation.
● Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, ICAO's goals include achieving fuel
efficiency improvements, carbon neutrality, and ultimately net-zero carbon
emissions in aviation by 2050.
● CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reporting Scheme for International Aviation) is a
key initiative to mitigate emissions in the global airline industry, with India
planning to participate from 2027.
● India's involvement in CORSIA and commitment to long-term aspirational goals
demonstrate its dedication to sustainable aviation practices.

International Telecommunication Union (ITU):
● ITU, founded in 1865 as the International Telegraph Union, is responsible for

allocating radio spectrum, satellite orbits, and standardization and development
of information and communication technologies (ICTs) worldwide.
● HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.
● With 193 member states and over 700
private-sector entities, ITU plays a crucial role in
shaping the ICT sector, covering a wide range of
technologies from digital broadcasting to the
Internet.
● India has been an active member of the ITU
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council since 1952 and has contributed
significantly to its activities.
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● The ITU Area Office in India, located in New
Delhi's Centre for Development of Telematics (C-Dot) building, serves India and
neighboring countries, promoting economic cooperation and development in the
region.
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India's engagement with ICAO and ITU reflects its commitment to international
cooperation and sustainable development in the fields of aviation and
telecommunication. Through participation in global initiatives and partnerships, India
contributes to shaping the future of these critical sectors on the international stage.
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The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
● Responsible for promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible

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tourism, UNWTO aims to maximize tourism's socio-economic contribution while

minimizing its negative impacts.
● Headquartered in Madrid, Spain, UNWTO has a membership of 160 Member
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States, 6 Associate Members, and over 500 Affiliate Members.

● It advocates for the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism to
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ensure ethical and sustainable tourism practices worldwide.

● The UNWTO Executive Council serves as the organization's governing body,
convening at least twice a year to discuss and decide on key matters related to
tourism development and promotion.
Universal Postal Union (UPU):
● Established in 1874, UPU is the primary forum for international cooperation in

the postal sector, making it the second oldest international organization
globally.

● Headquartered in Berne, Switzerland, UPU
comprises four bodies: The Congress, The
Council of Administration, The Postal
Operations Council, and the International
Bureau.
● With 192 member countries, UPU facilitates
collaboration among postal services
worldwide, ensuring the efficient exchange of
mail and parcels across borders.
● The Treaty of Bern in 1874 established the
General Postal Union, which later evolved into UPU, playing a crucial role in
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standardizing and regulating international postal services.
Both UNWTO and UPU play essential roles in fostering international cooperation and
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coordination in their respective sectors. While UNWTO focuses on promoting
sustainable tourism and maximizing its benefits, UPU facilitates the smooth operation
of postal services globally, contributing to global connectivity and communication.
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United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
● Mission and Focus: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) aims to
assist countries in eliminating poverty and achieving sustainable human
development.
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● Establishment and Mandate: Founded in 1965, UNDP emphasizes strengthening

frameworks for development, disaster risk reduction, and climate change
mitigation.
● Publications and Initiatives: UNDP publishes the annual Human Development
Report, measuring and analyzing developmental progress worldwide.
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○ Notably, it collaborated with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)

and the Government of Japan to accelerate climate action in India.
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United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UN SDG)

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● Consortium and Coordination

○ The United Nations Sustainable
Development Group (UN SDG),
formerly known as the United
Nations Development Group
(UNDG), is a consortium of 36 UN
funds, programmes, specialized
agencies, departments, and
offices.

○ It serves as a high-level forum for joint policy formation and
decision-making, coordinating development operations in 162 countries
and territories.
● Meetings and Secretariat
○ The UN SDG meets twice a year to guide, support, track, and oversee the
coordination of development efforts, with the Development Coordination
Office (DCO) serving as the Secretariat.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Mandate and Objectives :-
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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) focuses on reaching disadvantaged
children and adolescents to protect their rights and
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improve their welfare.
About
UNICEF was created in 1946 as International Children’s
Emergency Fund (ICEF) by the UN relief Rehabilitation
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Administration to help children affected by World War
II.UNICEF became a permanent part of the UN in 1953.
● The name was shortened to United Nations Children

Fund but it is still referred to as UNICEF.
●
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It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the

protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand
their opportunities to reach their full potential.
● UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989.
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● It strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and

international standards of behavior towards children.
● Awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1965 for “promotion of brotherhood
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among the nations”.

● Headquarters: New York City. It works in over 190 countries and territories with
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7 regional offices.
● Funding and Innovations
○ UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary support and partnerships with
governments, civil society, and the private sector.
○ Notably, UNICEF became the first UN organization to hold and transact in
cryptocurrencies through its CryptoFund initiative.
● Initiatives in India: In India, UNICEF launched Generation Unlimited India
(YuWaah) in 2019 to facilitate youth skilling initiatives.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

● Establishment and Purpose
○ The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD),
established in 1964, addresses trade, investment, and development issues
facing developing countries.
● Publications and Proposals
○ UNCTAD publishes various reports, including the Trade and Development
Report and the World Investment Report, and proposed a 'Blue Deal' for
global trade, investment, and innovation in the post-COVID-19 economy
in 2021.
United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF18)
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● Establishment and Mandate
○ UNFF is a subsidiary body established by the UN ECOSOC in 2000.
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○ The UN General Assembly adopted the first-ever UN
Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030.
● Goals and Targets
○ The Strategic Plan comprises 6 Global Forest Goals and
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26 associated targets, voluntary and universal.
● Membership and Meetings
○ The Forum has universal membership, including all
Member States of the United Nations and specialized agencies, meeting
annually.
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● UNFF18 Session
○ The 18th session of UNFF, held in New York, focused on the contributions
of sustainable forest management (SFM) to energy, livelihoods, and the
SDGs.
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○ India presented a case of a UNFF country-led initiative on long-term SFM

and shared concerns about wildfires and current forest certification
schemes.
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United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

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○ Established in 1978, UN-Habitat is the UN agency for human settlements
and sustainable urban development, aiming to promote socially and
environmentally sustainable human settlements and adequate shelter for
all.
● Structure and Activities
○ UN-Habitat reports to the United Nations General Assembly and holds its
first UN-Habitat Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya.
○ The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban
Development (Habitat conference) is held once in a bi-decennial cycle.

○ It serves as the custodian agency for 9 of the 15 indicators under SDG 11
(Sustainable cities and communities).
○ Jointly with UNEP, UN-Habitat facilitated the observance of the 1st
International Day of Zero Waste in 2023.
United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA)
● Establishment and Mission

○ Established in 1969, UNFPA, also known as the United Nations Population
Fund, is the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, aiming to ensure
every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young
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person's potential is fulfilled.
○ It released the State of World Population Report in 2023.
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WHO Council on the Economics of Health for All
○ Establishment and Membership

■ Established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council
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comprises 10 members, including the Chair, all distinguished economists
and area experts.
○ Recent Developments
■ The Council launched a roadmap at the 76th World Health Assembly,
aiming to link health with sustainable economic growth.
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The Pandemic Fund

○ The Pandemic Fund is a multi-stakeholder global partnership officially
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established in November 2022.

○ It operates as one of the Financial Intermediary Funds (FIFs).
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○ The objective is to provide additional, long-term financing to strengthen

critical pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, and Response (PPR)
capabilities in low- and middle-income countries.
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● Governing Structure
○ The Pandemic Fund operates with the following governing bodies:
1. Governing Board
2. Technical Advisory Panel
3. Secretariat - Managed by the World Bank
4. Trustee - Also the World Bank
● Funding
○ The financial volume of the Pandemic Fund relies on contributions from
donors.

○ Founding financial contributors include Australia, Canada, China,
European Commission, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of
Korea, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, United Arab Emirates,
United States, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation,
and Wellcome Trust.
Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF)
● Overview
○ FIFs are independently governed multi-contributor collaboration
platforms.
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○ Each FIF focuses on specific themes, with the World Bank serving as
trustee.
○ Examples include the Adaptation Fund, The Pandemic Fund, Global
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Environment Facility, Green Climate Fund, etc.
○ FIF trusteeship does not involve overseeing or supervising the use of funds.
● Recent Developments: India reportedly submitted a funding request of around

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$55 million in its initial call with the Pandemic Fund of the World Bank.
UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF)

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○ Created in 1966 by the UN General Assembly,

UNCDF is an autonomous, voluntarily
funded UN organization affiliated with the
UN Development Programme (UNDP).
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○ It assists developing countries in developing

their economies by supplementing existing
sources of capital assistance through grants
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and loans.
○ UNCDF focuses on making public and private
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finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 Least Developed Countries
(LDCs).
● Management and Funding
○ The Administrator of UNDP also serves as the Managing Director of
UNCDF.
○ Similar to UNDP, UNCDF receives contributions from member states and
international development partners.
United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
● Establishment and Mission

○ UNV contributes to peace and development through volunteerism
worldwide.
○ Established in 1970.
○ Headquarters located in Bonn, Germany.
○ Administered by the UNDP and reports to the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS
Executive Board.
● Volunteer Profile
○ UN Volunteers are mid-career professionals, with an average age of 35
years.
○ They combine technical skills and professionalism with motivation and
dedication.
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○ The minimum number of years of professional experience required
depends on the UN Volunteer category and can range from 0-2 years.
○ 51% of all UN Volunteers are women.
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World Food Programme (WFP)
● Overview
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○ WFP is the food-assistance branch of the UN, dedicated to ending hunger
globally by 2030.
○ Established in 1961 by the FAO and UN
General Assembly.
○ Headquarters located in Rome, Italy.
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○ Mission: To eradicate hunger and

malnutrition, aiming to eliminate the
need for food aid itself.
● Operations in India
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○ In India, WFP has transitioned from

providing direct food aid to offering
technical assistance and capacity building
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services to the government, with the Ministry of Agriculture being the

nodal ministry.
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○ Food-for-work programs promote environmental and economic stability

and agricultural production.
● Funding and Assistance
○ WFP relies entirely on public donations from governments, corporations,
and individuals.
○ It provides food assistance through food provision or cash-based transfers.
○ Undernourished people are defined by the UN as those whose food intake
falls below the minimum level of dietary energy requirements.
● Nobel Peace Prize
○ The UN’s World Food Programme was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in
2020.

RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
World Trade Organization (WTO)
● Overview
○ Operates a global system of trade rules, acts as a forum
for negotiating trade agreements, settles trade disputes
between member countries, and supports the needs of
developing countries.
○ Officially commenced under the Marrakesh Agreement,
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replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
(GATT).
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○ Created by the Uruguay round of negotiations and
established in 1995.
○ Trade agreements are signed by representatives of
member governments and ratified by their parliaments.
● Membership and Governance
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○ 164 members and 25 observer governments.
○ Members include customs territories with full autonomy in the conduct of
their external commercial relations.
○ Principles: Non-discrimination, reciprocity, binding and enforceable
commitments, transparency, safety values.
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○ General Council: Top day-to-day decision-making body, also serves as the

Dispute Settlement Body.
○ Ministerial Conference: Highest decision-making body, meets every 2
years, decisions made through consensus.
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● Environment-Related Issues
○ No specific agreement dealing with the environment, but several
agreements include provisions addressing environmental concerns.
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○ Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade and Sanitary and Phytosanitary

Measures address environment-related issues.
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● Recent Developments: The 12th biennial ministerial conference held in Geneva in

June 2022.
● WTO’s ‘Developing Country’ Status
○ WTO agreements contain special provisions granting developing countries
special rights and treatment.
○ Developing countries have longer timeframes to implement agreements
and commitments to raise trading opportunities.
○ No defined criteria for 'developed' and 'developing' countries, members
can self-announce their status.
○ Mechanism established at the Bali Ministerial Conference (2013) to review
and analyze special and differential treatment provisions.

● Most Favored Nation (MFN) Status
○ Economic position in which a country enjoys the best trade terms given by
its trading partner.
○ WTO members commit to treating other members equally under the
principle of non-discrimination and offer MFN treatment.
○ Exceptions for developing countries, regional trade areas, and customs
unions.
○ Countries outside the WTO may face trade measures without global trading
rules, e.g., Iran, North Korea, Syria, Belarus.
○ Russia lost its MFN status over its invasion of Ukraine.
India & WTO
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● Background: In 2019, Australia, Brazil, and Guatemala filed complaints against
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India for sugar subsidies at the WTO.
○ India filed an appeal with the Appellate Body of the WTO disputing a
verdict by the WTO’s dispute settlement panel on sugar subsidies in 2022.
● WTO Rules and Rulings
○ According to WTO rules, subsidies cannot exceed 10% of the total value of
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sugar production.
○ The WTO ruled that India’s sugar policy was favoring domestic producers
through subsidies at the cost of foreign producers.
○ The panel recommended India to withdraw its alleged prohibited subsidies
within 120 days from the adoption of this report.
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● Types of Subsidies: India provides subsidies under Production Assistance, Buffer

Stock, and Marketing and Transportation Schemes.
● Response from India: India has stated that the WTO’s dispute panel ruling has
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made certain erroneous findings and is completely unacceptable.

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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
● Mission and Purpose

○ It seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use
for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons and materials, by the
early detection of misuse.
○ Established in 1957 as an
autonomous organization, it reports
to both the UNGA and Security
Council.
○ Widely known as the world’s
“Atoms for Peace” organization,
headquartered in Vienna.
○ Total membership of 178 countries,
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including India. North Korea has
withdrawn its candidature from
IAEA.
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● Role in Non-Proliferation: Essential component of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), requiring each Non-Nuclear
Weapon State to conclude a safeguards agreement with the IAEA.
● India and IAEA: India has ratified an Additional Protocol with the International
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Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), ensuring that its civilian reactors are under IAEA
safeguards and open for inspections.
International Organization for Migration (IOM)

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● Mission and Purpose

○ The inter-governmental organization promotes humane and orderly
migration for the benefit of all.
○ Observer to the UN since 1992, and joined the
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UN system in 2016.
○ Aims to provide humanitarian assistance to
migrants in need, including refugees and
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internally displaced people.

● Membership and Focus Areas
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○ 175 member states and 8 observer states.

○ Works in four broad areas of migration
management: migration and development,
facilitating migration, regulating migration, and forced migration.
● Flagship Publication: The biennial ‘World Migration Report’ is the flagship
publication of IOM.
Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

● Nature and Headquarters: An independent, autonomous international
organization with a working relationship with the UN.
Headquarters located in The Hague, Netherlands.
● Role and Function
○ Implementing body of the Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC), which entered into force in
1997.
○ Tasked with the mission of achieving a world
free of chemical weapons.
○ Comprises 193 Member States collaborating
toward this goal.
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● Recognition: Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013
for its efforts in chemical disarmament and
prevention of chemical warfare.
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● Investigation and Reporting
○ Traditionally, OPCW could determine whether chemical weapons were
used but not attribute responsibility.
○ Relationship Agreement (2001) between OPCW and the UN allows OPCW to
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report its inspections and activities to the UN through the office of the
Secretary-General.
CEB MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

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United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination
● Overview
1. Highest-level coordination forum of the United Nations system.
2. Main instrument for supporting and reinforcing the coordinating role of
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UN intergovernmental bodies on social, economic, and related matters.

3. Chaired by the UN Secretary-General.
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● Member Organizations
1. United Nations
2. Specialized Agencies (15)
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■ Includes agencies like WHO, UNESCO, and UNICEF.

3. Related Organizations (3)
■ WTO (World Trade Organization)
■ OPCW (Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons)
■ IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)
4. Funds and Programmes (12)
■ Includes UNDP, UNICEF, and WFP.
5. International Organization for Migration (IOM)
■ The newest member to join the CEB.

OTHER UN INITIATIVES
UN Women
● Establishment: Founded in 2010.

● Mission
○ Improve coordination and coherence of gender equality and empowerment
of women.
○ Promote more effective gender mainstreaming.
○ Position gender equality as fundamental to the Sustainable Development
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Goals.
● Partnerships: Collaborates with governments, civil society groups, businesses,
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foundations, and individuals.
● Publications: Released "Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG):
The Gender Snapshot 2022". TS
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA)
● Overview
○ Entity of the UN Secretariat responsible for economic, social, and
environmental issues.
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○ Promotes international cooperation for sustainable development.

○ Assists countries in formulating and implementing national development
strategies.
● Publications: Prepares the Sustainable Development Goals Report annually.
Publishes the World's Women Report every 5 years, World Economic Situation &
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Prospects, and World Youth Report.

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UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC)
Formation: Established in 2006, replacing the United Nations Commission on

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●
Human Rights.
● Responsibilities: Promotes and protects human rights
globally.
● Membership: Consists of 47 seats, with members elected
by the UN General Assembly for 3-year terms.
● Meetings: Meets three times a year to examine human
rights violations worldwide.
● Resolutions: Resolutions are not legally binding but
carry moral authority.

● Suspension: The General Assembly can suspend the rights and privileges of any
Council member with a 2/3rd majority vote for persistently committing gross and
systematic violations of human rights.
Recent Developments
● Russia: Lost the election to the UNHRC against Albania and Bulgaria in the
Eastern European Region. Membership suspended following its full-scale
invasion of Ukraine.
UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)
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● Overview: Core legal body of the United Nations system in the field of
international trade law. Specializes in commercial law reform.
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● Objectives: Modernization and harmonization of rules on international business.
● Key Initiatives
○ Adopted the UNCITRAL Model Law on International Commercial
Arbitration in 1985.
○ Adopted the UNCITRAL Conciliation Rules in 1980.
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○ Proposed the UNCITRAL Model Law on Cross Border Insolvency to address
insolvency issues.
● Provisions
○ Allows foreign insolvency courts and officials access to domestic courts
and vice versa.
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○ Provides for recognition of orders and judgments passed by insolvency

courts located in foreign jurisdictions.
U.N. Central Emergency Response Fund

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● Establishment: Established by the UNGA in 2005 as an emergency response fund.

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● Purpose: Funds projects in countries at war or experiencing other crises like

natural disasters.
● Support: Receives support from UN Member States, observers, regional
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governments, international organizations, the private sector, and individuals.

● Eligibility: UN specialized agencies, the International Organization for Migration,
and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs can apply for loans.
United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC)
● Establishment
○ Established in 2005 as a political initiative of former UN
Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi Annan.
○ Co-sponsored by the Governments of Spain and Turkey.

● Objective
○ Galvanized international action against extremism through international,
intercultural, and interreligious dialogue and cooperation.
● Operation
○ High Representative and Secretariat operate from New York.
Global Compact for Migration
● Overview: First inter-governmentally negotiated agreement prepared under the

auspices of the UN to cover all dimensions of migration.
○ Adopted in 2018 following the political declaration "New York Declaration
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for Refugees and Migrants" in 2016.
● Consistency: Framed consistent with SDG 10.7 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development.
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● Binding: Not binding on member countries.
● Membership: All 193 member countries of the UNGA are part of the global pact for
migration.
● Exceptions: Some countries have refused to sign or withdraw from the
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agreement, including the USA, Australia, Hungary, Israel, Poland, Slovakia, the
Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Italy, and Chile.
United Nations Global Compact

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● Establishment: Founded in 2000.

● Objective: Voluntary initiative to implement universal sustainability principles
and support UN goals.
● Structure: Companies collaborate with UN agencies, labor groups, and civil
G
society. Cities can join through the Cities Programme.

● Principles: Ten Principles encompass Human Rights, Labor, Environment, and
Anti-Corruption.
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● India's Participation
○ India is a member of the UN Global Compact.
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○ Global Compact Network India (GCNI) represents India and held the 2nd
Gender Equality Summit.
Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development
● Objective: Achieve a vibrant and cohesive electronic media environment in the

Asia-Pacific region through policy and resource development.
● Establishment: Founded in 1977 under UNESCO.
● Secretariat: Based in Kuala Lumpur.
● Membership: 93 members representing 46 countries.
○ India represented by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1

40
Paris Principles
● Overview: Also known as ‘Principles Relating to the Status of National Human

Rights Institutions’. Set minimum standards for credibility and effective
operation of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
● Key Pillars: Pluralism, independence, and effectiveness.
● Adoption: Adopted in Paris in 1991 and by the UN General Assembly in 1993.
Recent Developments
● NHRC of India
○ Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) deferred
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re-accreditation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of
India for a year.
○ GANHRI’s Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA) deferred re-accreditation
PS
for the second time.
○ Without accreditation, NHRC will be unable to represent India at the UN
Human Rights Council.
TS
World Restoration Flagships
● Overview
○ Part of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, coordinated
by UNEP and FAO.
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○ Ten pioneering initiatives declared as World Restoration Flagships.

○ Eligible for UN-backed promotion, advice, or funding.
● Ganga Project
○ Recognized by the UN for its role in restoring the river.
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UN Peacekeeping Mission
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● Establishment
○ Joint effort between the UN Department of Peace Operations and the
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Department of Operational Support.

○ Peacekeeping efforts began in 1948 with military observers deployed to
West Asia.
● Role
○ Provide security, political, and peace-building support to conflict-ridden
countries.
● India's Contribution
○ India contributes significantly with 5,323 personnel deployed in 8 out of 13
active UN Peacekeeping Missions.
○ Holds the unfortunate record of highest fatalities due to malicious acts
during UN peacekeeping missions.

● Initiatives
○ India introduced a draft resolution titled ‘Memorial wall for fallen United
Nations peacekeepers’ in the UN General Assembly.
Blue Helmets
Role
○ UN military personnel working alongside UN Police and civilian colleagues
to promote stability, security, and peace processes.
○ Named for the iconic blue helmets they wear.
Enlistment
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○ Recruited by the UN Office of Military Affairs from highly qualified military
officers of UN member states.
○ Serve as individual Staff Officers, Military Observers, or part of a formed
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unit from a Troop-Contributing Country.
Deployment
○ Deployed under the UN flag for periods normally up to 1 year in the field or
2/3 years at headquarters.
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○ Staff officers monitor all aspects related to troop deployment from the UN
headquarters.
UNITAMS
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● Closure
○ UNSC voted to end the political mission dedicated to ending the civil war in
Sudan.
○ Liquidation of UNITAMS to begin on March 1, 2024.
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● Establishment
○ United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan
(UNITAMS) established in 2020.
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○ Aimed to support the promotion and protection of human rights in Sudan.

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International Groupings
1. Which of the following countries formed the group known as BASIC ? (TSPSC
GROUP-1 PYQ 2022)
(1) Afghanistan, South Africa, India and Columbia

(2) Brazil, South Africa, India and China
(3) Brazıl, Argentina, South Africa, India and Canada
(4) Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India and Chile

2. The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of (UPSC
Prelims 2015)
A. ASEAN
B. BRICS
C. OECD
D. WTO
3. With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS, consider the following

statements: (UPSC Prelims 2014)
1. The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
2. South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.
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Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
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c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
4. Consider the following statements in relation to the G-20 (TSPSC PYQ 2023)
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A. The G-20 was founded in 1999 as a forum for the Finance Ministers and Central
Bank Governors.
B. The G-20 was upgraded to the level of Heads of State/Government in 2010.
C. The expanded agenda of G-20 includes trade, sustainable development, health,
agriculture, energy, environment, climate change and anti-corruption.
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Which of the above statements are correct?

1. A and C only
2. A and B only
3. A, B and C
4. B and C only
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SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation)

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● Definition: A regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of

nations in South Asia.
TA
● Key Points:
○ Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, the Maldives,
Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
○ Secretariat: Located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
○ Establishment: Founded in 1985.
○ SAFTA: Launched the South Asian Free Trade Area in 2006 to promote
regional trade.
○ Observer States: Include Australia, China, European Union, Iran, Japan,
Mauritius, Myanmar, South Korea, and the United States.

○ SAARC Development Fund: Established in 2010 to promote welfare,
economic growth, social progress, and poverty alleviation in the region.
■ Authorized capital: $1.5 billion
■ Total capital base: $500 million
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic

Cooperation)
● Definition: A regional organization of littoral countries surrounding the Bay of

Bengal, aimed at fostering economic and social development among member
countries.
Key Points:
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●
○ Establishment: Formed in 1997 with the signing of the Bangkok
Declaration.
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○ Members: Bangladesh, Bhutan,
India, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar, and Thailand.
○ Secretariat: Located in Dhaka,
Bangladesh.
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○ Aim: To promote economic and
social development among
member countries.
○ Evolution: Initially known as
BIST-EC (Bangladesh, India,
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Sri Lanka, Thailand - Economic

Cooperation) before the
inclusion of Myanmar (1997),
Bhutan (2004), and Nepal (2004).
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○ BIMSTEC Charter: Signed and adopted during the fifth BIMSTEC Summit
in Sri Lanka in 2022.
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○ Various BIMSTEC Centers:

■ BIMSTEC Energy Centre (BEC): To be housed in Bengaluru, India.
■ BIMSTEC Centre on Weather and Climate: Located in Uttar Pradesh,
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India.
■ BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory: Proposed for
establishment in Bhutan.
■ BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility: Memorandum of
Association signed in 2022.
○ Upcoming Summit (2024):
■ Hosted by Thailand.
■ Features:
■ Adoption of the BIMSTEC Rules of Procedure.
■ Adoption of the BIMSTEC Maritime Cooperation Agreement
(BMCA).

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■ Launching of BIMSTEC Bangkok Vision 2030.
BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa)
● Origins:
○ BRIC: Originally conceived by Jim O'Neill, consisting of Brazil, Russia,
India, and China.
○ Launch: Formally
established with a meeting
of the Foreign Ministers of
Brazil, Russia, India, and
China in 2006.
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○ Expansion: South Africa
joined in 2010,
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transforming BRIC into
BRICS.
● Membership:
○ Current Members: Brazil,
Russia, India, China, and
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South Africa.
○ Additional Members: Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt,
and Ethiopia.
● Leadership:
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○ Chairmanship: Rotates among member countries.

● Summits:
○ First Summit: Held in Yekaterinburg in 2009.
○ Fortaleza Declaration (2015):
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■ Established the New Development Bank with a worth of 100 billion

dollars.
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BBIN (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal) Initiative

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● Origins:
○ In 1996, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, India, and
Nepal formed the
South Asian Growth
Quadrangle to
enhance energy and
power, trade and
investment, transport,
and tourism.

○ The addition of Maldives and Sri Lanka to this group led to the
establishment of the SASEC Program, leaving the original four-party
initiative idle.
● Formation of BBIN:
○ In 2014, following the failure of the SAARC Motor Vehicle Agreement due to
rejection by Pakistan, the BBIN Initiative was proposed to advance the
agenda.
● BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement:
○ The landmark BBIN Motor Vehicles Agreement was signed by the
Transport Ministers of the BBIN countries in 2015.
○ It aims to facilitate seamless movement of passenger and cargo vehicles
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among the four countries.
● Implementation:
○ While Bangladesh, India, and Nepal have agreed on the operating
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procedures for passenger vehicle movement under the MVA, Bhutan has
not ratified it, demanding a cap on vehicles entering its territory for a
specified period.
○ Despite Bhutan's stance, the three signatory countries have agreed to start
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implementing the MVA among themselves.
Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
● Formation and Membership:

○ Founded in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and
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Uzbekistan.
○ Current member states: China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan,
Uzbekistan, India,
Pakistan, and Iran (latest
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addition).
○ Observer States:
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Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran,

and Mongolia.
○ Dialogue Partners:
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Azerbaijan, Armenia,
Cambodia, Nepal, Turkey,
Sri Lanka.
● Structure and Functions:
○ The SCO Secretariat, based
in Beijing, serves as the
main permanent executive body.
○ The Council of Heads of State is the top decision-making body.
○ The Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), headquartered in
Tashkent, Uzbekistan, promotes cooperation against terrorism,
separatism, and extremism.

46
● Purpose and Focus:
○ Originally intended as a counterbalance to NATO and to prevent conflicts
allowing US intervention in areas bordering Russia and China.
○ SCO Summit 2022 held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, highlighted challenges
faced by humanity.
○ UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres proposed the Acceleration Agenda
to transition from fossil fuels to sustainable energy.
● India's Role:
○ India holds the presidency of the SCO summit for the first time (4th
July2023, virtual).
○ Introduced 5 new pillars of cooperation: Startups and Innovation,
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Traditional Medicine, Digital Inclusion, Youth Empowerment, Shared
Buddhist Heritage.
● Future Summit:
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○ The 24th SCO summit will be chaired by Kazakhstan and held in Astana.
BASIC (Brazil, South Africa, India, China)
● Formation and Purpose:

TS
○ Established in 2009 following an agreement among Brazil, South Africa,
India, and China.
○ Committed to collective action at the United Nations Climate Change
Conference, notably the Copenhagen Summit.
○ BASIC collaborates on climate change initiatives and negotiations within
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the framework of the UNFCCC.
○ This coalition reflects the growing recognition among emerging economies

of their role in addressing global environmental challenges and advancing
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sustainable development agendas.

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INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA (IBSA)
● IBSA is a unique Forum which was formalized by the Brasilia Declaration of 6

TA
June 2003 and brings together India, Brazil and South Africa, three large
democracies and major economies from three different continents, facing similar
challenges.
● All three partners are developing, pluralistic, multicultural, multi-ethnic,
multilingual and multi-religious nations.
● Established in June 2003, INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA is a coordinating
mechanism amongst three emerging countries, three multi ethnic and
multicultural democracies.
Objective of IBSA
● Contribute to the construction of a new international architecture
● Bring their voice together on global issues

● Deepen their ties in various areas
● INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA also opens itself to concrete projects of
cooperation and partnership with less developed countries.
IBSA Principles: Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law
● The principles, norms and values underpinning the IBSA Dialogue Forum are
participatory democracy, respect for human rights and the Rule of Law.
● The strength of IBSA is the shared vision of the three countries that democracy
and development are mutually reinforcing and key to sustainable peace and
stability.
IBSA Structure: Open and Flexible Approach
● IBSA keeps an open and flexible structure.
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● INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA does not have a headquarters or a permanent
executive secretariat.
● At the highest level, it counts on the Summits of Heads of State and Government.
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IBSA Summits
● 1st: In New Delhi (2004)
● 2nd: In Cape Town (2005)
● 3rd: In Rio de Janeiro (2006)
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● 4th: In New Delhi (2007)
● 5th: In Somerset West (2008)
● 6th: In Brasília (2009)
● 7th: In New Delhi (2011)
● 8th: In Durban (2017)
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● 9th: In New York (2018)

Initiatives of IBSA
● INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA fund has formed
various developing projects in needy countries like- Vietnam, Cambodia, Burundi
and so on.
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● The external ministries of the three countries are actively supporting each other
for a coordinated grouping.
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● India has been coordinating the IBSA Visiting Fellows Programme through the
Delhi-based Research and Information System for Developing Countries.
Cooperation of IBSA Countries
TA
● Political Coordination
● Sector Cooperation, through 14 Working Groups
● INDIA-BRAZIL-SOUTH AFRICA Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA
Fund)
● People-to-People fora (Involvement of other actors beyond the Executive, e.g.
civil society).
I2U2 (India, Israel, U.S., UAE)
Formation and Purpose:

48
○ Referred to as the "West Asian Quad," I2U2 comprises India, Israel, the
U.S., and the UAE.
○ Concept articulated by U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
○ Aims to discuss mutual interests,
strengthen economic partnerships, and
encourage joint investments in various
sectors.
○ Focus areas include infrastructure
modernization, low carbon development,
public health improvement, and the
promotion of critical emerging and green
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technologies.
○ Aims to increase Israel's integration into the region, aligning with the
objectives of the Abraham Accords.
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Quad (Quadrilateral Group)

TS
○ Formed in 2017, the Quadrilateral Group
consists of India, Australia, Japan, and the
U.S.
○ Aims to enhance defense and security
cooperation among the four countries.
○ Concept originally conceived by former
ET
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007.

○ Shared objective is to ensure a free, open, and
prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
○ Held its first formal summit in 2021.
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Abraham Accord
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Background:
TA
○ Signed in 2020.
○ Agreement involving the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel, mediated by the U.S.
○ Objective is to normalize ties with Israel.
○ Resulted in several Arab states establishing diplomatic relations with
Israel.
These initiatives and agreements underscore the evolving geopolitical dynamics and
efforts to foster collaboration and stability in the respective regions.
AUKUS (Australia, UK, US)

49
○ AUKUS was announced in September 2021 by the leaders of Australia, the
United Kingdom, and the United States.
○ The partnership aims to enhance trilateral
security cooperation among the three
countries.
○ Intended to strengthen each government's
ability to support security and defense
interests, building on existing bilateral ties.
○ Aims to deepen information sharing and
technology sharing, as well as promote integration of security efforts.
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○ Also seeks to advance defense-related science, technology, industrial
bases, and supply chains.
● India's Position: India is not part of the AUKUS grouping.
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Five Eyes Alliance
● Formation and Origins:

TS
○ The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising the US, UK, Australia,
Canada, and New Zealand.
○ Originated from informal meetings between US and UK code-breakers
during World War II.
○ The UKUSA agreement was
formalized in 1946 between
ET
Britain and the USA, laying the

foundation for the alliance.
● Expansion: Canada joined the alliance
in 1948, followed by Australia and New
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Zealand in 1956. Expansion partly

attributed to their shared
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Commonwealth heritage.
● Functioning: Members utilize
communications methods,
TA
particularly signals intelligence (SIGINT), to monitor citizens of other member

countries.
● Institutionalization: The Five Eyes Intelligence Oversight and Review Council was
established in 2016.
● Recent Issues: Intelligence shared among Five Eyes partners led to allegations
against India by the Canadian Prime Minister.
Collective Security Treaty Organisation(CSTO)
● Formation and Dissolution of the Warsaw Pact: With the end of the Cold War in
1991, the Warsaw Pact, an alliance of 8 socialist states, dissolved.

● Creation of the Collective Security Treaty:
● Shortly after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, Russia and five of its allies
in the Commonwealth of Independent States signed a new Collective
Security Treaty in 1992.
● This treaty came into force in 1994.
● Evolution into the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO):
○ In 2002, the alliance declared itself the Collective Security Treaty
Organisation, expanding into a full-fledged intergovernmental military
alliance.
○ Also referred to as the "Tashkent Pact" or
"Tashkent Treaty".
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● Membership and Headquarters:
● The CSTO consists of 6 members: Armenia,
Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and
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Tajikistan. Uzbekistan withdrew from the alliance
in 2012.
● Headquarters located in Moscow.
● Objectives:
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1. Strengthen peace, international and regional security, including
cybersecurity and stability.
2. Protect the independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of the
members on a collective basis.
● Comparison with NATO: Article 4 of the CSTO is reminiscent of NATO's Article 5,
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which pertains to collective defense.
NATO
Formation of NATO:
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○ NATO was founded in 1949 as a mutual-defense and political alliance.

○ It was established by the United States, Canada, and several Western
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European nations to ensure collective security

against the Soviet Union.
● Nature of the Alliance:
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○ NATO is an intergovernmental political and

military alliance.
○ Its headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium.
● Key Members and Significance:
○ The key member states of NATO include the United States, Canada, and
American allies in Europe.
○ NATO marked the US's first peacetime military alliance outside the
Western Hemisphere.
● Core Tasks: NATO's core tasks include collective defense, crisis management, and
cooperative security.
● Principle of Collective Defense:

○ Members of NATO are committed to mutual defense in response to an
attack by any external party.
○ Collective defense, outlined in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, is a
fundamental principle that binds NATO members together.
● Membership: Currently, 32 countries are members of NATO. Sweden became
NATO's newest member in 2023.
● Decision-Making Process: All decisions within NATO are made by consensus,
with each ally having an equal say.
The "Bucharest Nine"
Formation and Name: The "Bucharest Nine" or "Bucharest Format" or "B9" was
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established in 2015. It derives its name from Bucharest,
the capital of Romania.
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● Purpose and Role:
● The B9 is a group of 9 NATO countries in
Eastern Europe that joined NATO after the
end of the Cold War.
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● It is known as the "Voice of the Eastern
Flank" within the NATO alliance.
● The group was created to deepen dialogue
among participant allied states and articulate
their specific contributions to NATO
processes.
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● Founders and Initiatives:

○ The B9 was initiated at the High-Level Meeting of the States from Central
and Eastern Europe in Bucharest.
○ It was initiated by Klaus Iohannis, who became President of Romania in
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2014, and Andrzej Duda, who became President of Poland in 2015.

● Composition: The B9 comprises Romania, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, the Czech
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Republic, Slovakia, and the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
The G- Related Groupings-G4,G7,G10,G12,G20,G77

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The G7
Formation and Membership:
● The G7 is an intergovernmental economic group comprising the 7 largest IMF

advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.
● The European Union (EU) is also represented within the G7 as an invitee.
● It was formerly known as the G8 with Russia included, but Russia was ejected
from the group due to the Crimean crisis.

Purpose and Activities:
● Founded to facilitate shared

macroeconomic initiatives by its
members in response to the collapse of
the exchange rate in 1971.
● The G7 summit is held annually to
discuss economic policies, while G7
finance ministers meet at least
semi-annually.
● Recently, a Gender Equality Advisory
Council was established to address
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gender inequality in the private sector.
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Nature and Impact:
● Together, the member countries represent 40% of global GDP and 10% of the
world’s population.
● Unlike bodies like NATO, the G7 has no legal existence, permanent secretariat, or
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official members.
● Decisions made at G7 meetings are not binding and need to be ratified
independently by member states.
Outcomes of Recent G7 Summit:

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● Held in Hiroshima, Japan.

● Introduced the Hiroshima Vision Statement on Nuclear Disarmament and
initiated the Hiroshima AI process (HAP) to regulate artificial intelligence.
● Global Partnership on AI (GPAI) was discussed, with India being a founding
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member.
● Reaffirmed support for Ukraine, announced new sanctions against Russia, and
pledged to counter China's economic coercion.
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● Addressed the global food crisis, committed to investing in clean energy and
infrastructure, and advocated for human rights and democracy worldwide.
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● Promised humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and condemned human rights

abuses in China, Russia, and other countries.
G4 (GROUP OF FOUR):
1. The Original G4 (Big Four of Europe):

● Members: France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom
● Significance:
○ Major economic powers in Europe.
○ Permanent members of the UN Security Council with veto power.
○ Referred to as the "Big Four of Europe" since the interwar period.

● Economic Cooperation: Full members of
G7 and G20.
2. The New G4:
● Members: Brazil, Germany, India, and
Japan
● Focus: Advocating for reform of the UN
Security Council, including expansion of
permanent seats for themselves.
3. G4 vs. Coffee Club:
● G4's Position: Supports increasing
permanent UN Security Council seats, with each member aiming for a seat.
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● Coffee Club's Position: Opposes G4's proposal for expansion without broader
consensus. Italy is a member of the Coffee Club.
● Italy's Specific Stances:
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○ Opposes Germany's bid for a permanent seat, favoring a seat for the
European Union instead.
○ Does not support India's bid for a permanent seat.
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G10 (GROUP OF TEN):
What is it?
The G10 is a group of countries that collaborate with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) through a special agreement called the General Arrangements to Borrow (GAB).
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Function of the GAB:

● Provides the IMF with additional financial resources to increase its lending
capacity.
● Enables the IMF to borrow specific amounts of currency from G10 members under
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certain circumstances.
History:
● Established in 1962 by:
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○ Eight IMF member governments (Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Japan,

Netherlands, UK, US)
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○ Central banks of Germany and Sweden (not IMF members at the time)
● Originally aimed to provide an additional $6 billion to the IMF.
● Switzerland joined in 1964 (not an IMF member then, but the name G10
remained).
● Luxembourg is an associate member.
Significance:
● Allows the IMF to respond more effectively to financial crises by having access to
additional funds.
● The G10's actions can influence global financial stability.
Additional Notes:

● The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) hosts a resource page for G10
publications.
● Official observers of G10 activities include: BIS, European Commission, IMF, and
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
G12 (GROUP OF TWELVE) :
The G12, or Group of Twelve, is a group of central banks from industrially advanced
countries that collaborate on international financial regulations. Here's what you need
to know:
● Core Function: Coordinate efforts to regulate and promote stability in the global
financial system.
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● Membership Discrepancy: Despite its name, the G12 actually has thirteen
members. This is because it incorporates the original ten members of the G10
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(Group of Ten) who established a lending agreement with the IMF, plus Australia
and Spain.
● Historical Anomaly: In 1984, Switzerland joined both the G10 and G12, bringing
the total to thirteen. However, the group's names remained unchanged despite
the addition.
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Essentially, the G12 functions as a larger version of the G10, focusing on international
financial cooperation.
G20:
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G20 (Group of Twenty): A Global Economic Powerhouse

The G20 is a crucial international forum for economic cooperation, bringing together
the world's leading economies:
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● Established in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis.

● Aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration between major industrialized and
developing economies.
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● Focuses on international economic and financial stability.

Membership:
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● Nineteen countries with the world's largest economies.

● The European Union (EU) is also a member.
● Spain is a permanent guest.
Member Countries:
1. Argentina
2. Australia
3. Brazil
4. Canada
5. China
6. France
7. Germany

8. India
9. Indonesia
10. Italy
11. Japan
12. Mexico
13. Russia (currently suspended)
14. Saudi Arabia
15. South Africa
16. South Korea
17. Turkey
18. United Kingdom
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19. United States
20. EU (European Union)
Global Significance:
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● Represents around 80% of global GDP (Gross Domestic Product).
● Accounts for nearly 75% of global exports.
● Represents about 60% of the world's population.
Scope of Discussions:
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● Originally focused on broad economic policies.
● Expanded to encompass a wider range of issues:
○ Fair and sustainable development.
○ Corruption, money laundering, and tax havens.
○ Climate change (e.g., Paris Agreement).
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○ Future of work.
○ Terrorism.
○ Global health.
Overall, the G20 serves as a platform for world leaders to address critical economic and
global challenges, shaping the course of the international financial system.
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Current Note: As of today's date (March 14, 2024), Russia's membership in the G20 is
suspended due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
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G20 SUMMIT, NEW DELHI:

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18th G20 Summit in New Delhi

Theme: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ("The world is one family")
Significance: First time India hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit
Major Outcomes
● Increased Representation for Developing Countries:
○ Admission of African Union (G20 now G21): (Refer to previous
explanation)
● India – Middle East – Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
○ Establishment of IMEC: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was
signed between the Governments of India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the

European Union, the UAE,
France, Germany, and Italy
to establish the IMEC.
The India-Middle East-Europe
Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a
significant project with geopolitical and
economic implications.
The IMEC is a proposed multimodal
connectivity corridor that aims to create
a comprehensive transportation
network connecting India, the Middle
East, and Europe.
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It encompasses railways, ports,
pipelines, and digital networks.
The corridor consists of two main routes:
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■ The East Corridor: This connects India to the Arabian Gulf.
■ The Northern Corridor: This links the Gulf countries to Europe via
Greece.
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Additionally, the IMEC corridor includes an electricity cable, a hydrogen pipeline, and a
high-speed data cable.
India, the US, Saudi Arabia, UAE, the European Union, Italy, France, and Germany are
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signatories of this.
○ Part of Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII):

■ IMEC is part of a broader initiative called the PGII, introduced
during the G7 summit in the UK (June 2021).
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■ PGII aims to finance infrastructure projects in developing countries

through public-private partnerships.
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○ Significance of IMEC:
■ IMEC is a significant infrastructure project connecting India, the
Middle East, and Europe.
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■ The project aims to establish a network of transport corridors,

including railways and sea lanes.
■ IMEC is seen as an alternative infrastructure network to China's Belt
and Road Initiative (BRI).
Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA)
Launched by India: The GBA is an initiative spearheaded by India.
Goal: Promote Biofuel Adoption
● The alliance aims to create a collaborative effort between governments,
international organizations, and industry stakeholders.

● This collaboration will focus on accelerating the acceptance and use of biofuels
globally.
Positioning Biofuels for Energy Transition:
● The initiative envisions biofuels as a crucial element in the shift towards cleaner
energy sources.
● Widespread biofuel adoption is expected to contribute to economic growth and
job creation.
Founding Members:
● The alliance was established with nine initial member countries:
○ India
○ United States (USA)
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○ Brazil
○ Argentina
○ Bangladesh
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○ Italy
○ Mauritius
○ South Africa
○ United Arab Emirates (UAE)
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GBA's Significance in Biofuel Production and Consumption:
● These founding members are major players in the biofuel sector, representing a
significant share of global production and consumption.
○ USA (52%)
○ Brazil (30%)
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○ India (3%)
● Combined, these three countries contribute roughly 85% of global ethanol
production and 81% of global ethanol consumption.
Growing Membership:
● The GBA has garnered significant interest, with 19 countries and 12 international
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organizations already expressing their intent to join.

G20 Lauds India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Financial Inclusion
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A World Bank document prepared for the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion
highlights the success of India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in driving financial
inclusion over the past decade. The document identifies several key initiatives that have
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significantly shaped the DPI landscape:

JAM Trinity for Rapid Financial Inclusion:
● Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojna (PMJDY): This scheme facilitated large-scale
bank account opening, providing a foundation for financial inclusion.
● Aadhaar: The Aadhaar unique identity system streamlined account opening and
verification processes.
● Mobile: Mobile phone penetration enabled access to financial services through
mobile banking and digital wallets.
Other Key Initiatives:

● Government to Person (G2P) Payments: Direct benefit transfers from the
government to citizens' accounts improved financial inclusion and reduced
leakages.
● Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Dominance: UPI's emergence as a dominant
digital payment platform has made it easier and faster to conduct cashless
transactions.
● Private Sector Efficiency: DPI has simplified operations for private financial
institutions, lowering costs and processing times.
● Lower Compliance Costs for KYC (Know Your Customer): The streamlined KYC
process facilitated by DPI has made onboarding new customers easier.
● Cross-Border Payments: The UPI-PayNow linkage enables faster and cheaper
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cross-border payments between India and Singapore.
● Account Aggregator Framework: This framework allows individuals to share
their financial data securely with various financial institutions, fostering
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competition and innovation.
● Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA): DEPA empowers
individuals with control over their financial data, promoting trust and security in
the digital financial ecosystem.
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G20 Targets Tripled Renewable Energy Capacity by 2030
The G20 countries committed to a significant step towards combating climate change -
tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Key Points:
● Ambitious Goal: This target aligns with global efforts to limit global warming to
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1.5 degrees Celsius, a critical threshold for avoiding catastrophic climate impacts.
● Shifting from Fossil Fuels: This commitment signifies a major move away from
dependence on fossil fuels and embraces cleaner energy alternatives like solar,
wind, and geothermal.
● Recognizing the Challenge: The G20 acknowledges the inadequacy of current
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climate action. Reaching the Paris Agreement goals requires substantial financial
resources - trillions of dollars are needed for investment.
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● Potential Impact: Scaling up renewable energy capacity to this extent could

potentially prevent a staggering 7 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions between 2023
and 2030.
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This ambitious target by the G20 represents a crucial step towards achieving a cleaner
and more sustainable future.
G20 Tackles Food Security Challenges
The G20 Summit addressed pressing concerns regarding global food security and
nutrition.
Impact of Ukraine War:
● The declaration acknowledges the war's devastating effects on global food
security, energy security, supply chains, inflation, and economic stability.
● G20 leaders stressed the importance of fully and promptly implementing the
Black Sea grain initiative to facilitate food exports from Ukraine.

● MAHARISHI Initiative (Millets And OtHer Ancient Grains International
ReSearcH Initiative): This initiative aims to:
○ Promote research collaborations
○ Raise awareness about millets and other ancient grains, particularly
relevant during the International Year of Millets (2023)
Promoting Fair Trade and Transparency:
● The G20 committed to fair and rule-based trade in agriculture, food, and
fertilizer. This includes:
● Avoiding export restrictions
○ Reducing market distortions
○ Aligning with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules
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● G20 leaders emphasized strengthening transparency in food markets through:
○ The Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS)
○ The Group on Earth Observations Global Agricultural Monitoring
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(GEOGLAM) initiative
These efforts will involve expanding AMIS to include vegetable oils and improving
collaboration with early warning systems to prevent food price volatility.
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G20 Initiatives for Food Security Transparency:
Initiative Description Launched By
AMIS (Agricultural Provides a platform for G20 Ministers of

Market Information enhancing food market Agriculture (2011)
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System) transparency and informing

policy responses for food
security.
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GEOGLAM (Group on Improves food security by G20 Agriculture

Earth Observations offering timely and Ministers (French
Global Agricultural comprehensive agricultural G20 Presidency,
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Monitoring) data on a global scale. 2011)

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Other Commitments at the G20 Summit:

Area Commitment Description
Security Small Arms and - Builds on previous G20 declarations

Terrorist Safe condemning terrorism (e.g., 2015
Havens Turkiye declaration). - Clearly
condemns terrorism in all its forms.

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Healthcare Healthcare - Strengthens global health
Resilience and architecture for more resilient,
Research equitable health systems. - Focuses on
WHO, primary healthcare, workforce,
and essential services within 2-3 years.
- Adopts a "One Health" approach for
coordinated disease tracking across
animals, plants, and humans, with a
focus on antimicrobial resistance.
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Finance Cryptocurrencies - Lays the foundation for a coordinated
and comprehensive policy and
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regulatory framework for
cryptocurrencies.
Finance Multilateral - Recognizes the need for more robust

Development
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Banks (MDBs) development demands.
Finance Financial - Acknowledges India's "India Stack"

Inclusion model as a promising approach for
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digital public infrastructure in financial

inclusion.
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SHERPAS:
G20 Sherpas: The Guiding Force Behind the Summit:

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International summits like the G20 require meticulous preparation and negotiation. At
the heart of this process lies the critical role of the G20 Sherpa.
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Who is a Sherpa?
Just like the Sherpa people who guide mountaineers in the Himalayas, a G20 Sherpa is
the personal representative of a member country's leader. They are highly experienced
diplomats or senior government officials appointed by their respective heads of state or
government.
What Does a Sherpa Do?
A G20 Sherpa wears many hats throughout the summit process:
● Planning and Negotiation: They play a crucial role in planning the agenda,
engaging in negotiations on behalf of their leader, and ensuring the successful
implementation of any agreements reached at the summit.

● Building Consensus: Finding common ground among member countries at the
highest political level is paramount. Sherpas facilitate discussions and
negotiations pre-summit to address areas of potential disagreement and pave the
way for consensus at the main event.
● Pre-Summit Consultations: Sherpas are actively involved in a series of meetings
leading up to the summit. These consultations help them understand other
countries' positions, identify areas of overlap, and work towards solutions that
everyone can agree to.
Why are Sherpas Important?
The success of a G20 summit hinges on the groundwork laid by the Sherpas. They are the
silent architects who ensure that leaders arrive at the summit prepared to discuss
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critical issues and reach agreements. Their ability to navigate complex negotiations and
build consensus is essential for progress on global challenges.
India's G20 Sherpa: Amitabh Kant:
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India is currently represented by Amitabh Kant as its G20 Sherpa. Mr. Kant, a former
bureaucrat, previously served as the CEO of NITI Aayog, a prominent government think
tank. His extensive experience and diplomatic skills make him a valuable asset in
shaping India's agenda and promoting global cooperation during the G20 process.
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G11 Grouping
G11 Grouping:
Formation: G11 will be an expansion of the G7 grouping to include G7 countries

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●
(Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United
States), India, Australia, South Korea, and Russia.
● Purpose: Widely perceived as an "anti-Chinese" platform, it was established in
2006.
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● Composition: G11 consists of G7 nations along with India, Australia, South Korea,
and Russia.
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The Group of 77 (G77):

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The Group of 77 (G77) is a coalition of developing countries within the United Nations.
Established in 1964, it serves as a platform for these nations to collectively pursue their
economic interests and strengthen their negotiating power on international economic
issues.
Origins and Membership:
● Founded on June 15, 1964, by signatories of the "Joint Declaration of the
Seventy-Seven Developing Countries" at the UN Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD).
● Originally named for its 77 founding members, the group has grown to 134
member states.

● China is a key partner that provides political and
financial support but doesn't consider itself a
formal member. The group is often referred to as
"G77 and China" to acknowledge China's role.
Aims and Objectives:
● The G77 is the largest intergovernmental
organization for developing countries within the
UN.
● It provides a forum for these countries to:
○ Articulate and promote their collective
economic interests.Enhance their joint
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negotiating capacity on major international economic issues within the UN
system.
● Recent Developments: The Third South Summit:
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● The Third South Summit, held in Kampala, Uganda (2023), brought together G77
members and China.
● The theme of the summit was "Leaving No One Behind."
Structure of the Group of 77 (G77): The G77 operates through a structured system with
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regional representation and leadership.
● Leadership and Coordination:
○ Chairman: Each G77 chapter has a Chairman who acts as the spokesperson
for the member countries within that region.
○ Chairmanship Rotation: The Chairmanship, the highest position within
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the G77 structure, rotates annually on a regional basis among Africa,

Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This ensures all regions
have a chance to lead.
Example: Currently, Uganda holds the Chairmanship, meaning they coordinate G77
activities and represent member countries within the African Chapter.
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G77 Chapters: Chapters are essentially regional offices where the G77 coordinates
activities and represents its interests within specific UN agencies and international
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forums. These chapters are located in:

● Geneva (UN)
● Rome (FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization)
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● Vienna (UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization)

● Paris (UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization)
● Nairobi (UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme)
● Washington, D.C. (Group of 24 - acts as a liaison with the IMF and World Bank)
Note: For 2024, the Republic of Uganda holds the overall Chairmanship of the G77.
● Decision-Making Body:
○ While the chapters handle regional coordination, the supreme
decision-making body for the entire G77 is the South Summit. It's

important to note that the South Summit is a separate event, not a
permanent body, though historically significant.
● Past South Summits:
○ The First South Summit took place in Havana, Cuba (2000).
○ The Second South Summit was held in Doha, Qatar (2005).
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN):
● Formation and Membership: ASEAN is a regional organization comprising 10

Southeast Asian states, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Laos, Philippines,
Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
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● Aim: To accelerate economic growth, social progress, socio-cultural evolution
alongside regional stability.
● ASEAN Plus Three and ASEAN Plus Six: ASEAN has established ties with China,
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Japan, and South Korea (ASEAN Plus Three), and additional countries like
Australia, New Zealand, and India (ASEAN Plus Six).
● Engagement with India: ASEAN and India hold annual summits since 2002 to
elevate political, security, economic, and socio-cultural ties. Delhi Dialogue, a
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premier annual event, fosters track 1.5 diplomacy between India and ASEAN.
● Recent Developments: The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA)
was reached, and the 20th ASEAN India summit was held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
European Union Related Groupings

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European Union
European Union (EU):

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● Formation and Membership: A political and economic union of 27 member states

primarily located in Europe. The United Kingdom withdrew from the EU on
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January 31, 2020.

● Key Treaties: The Maastricht Treaty in 1993 established the EU and introduced
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European citizenship. The Treaty of Lisbon in 2009 introduced Article 50,

providing for member states to leave the EU.
● Objectives and Policies: The EU aims to ensure the free movement of people,
goods, services, and capital within the internal market. It enacts legislation in
justice and home affairs, and maintains common policies on trade, agriculture,
fisheries, and regional development.
● Monetary Union: A monetary union has been established within the EU, with the
euro currency used by 20 out of the 27 member states.
● Institutions: The EU has several institutions including the European Commission
(executive arm), European Council (overall political direction), Council of the

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European Union (legislature), European Court of Justice (supreme court of EU
law), and European Central Bank (monetary policy).
● India-EU Relations: India and the EU have strengthened diplomatic relations
since the first India-EU Summit in June 2000, and the relationship was upgraded
to a 'Strategic Partnership' in 2004.
European Commission:
● Role and Headquarters: Responsible for proposing legislation, implementing

decisions, upholding EU treaties, and managing the day-to-day business of the
EU. Headquartered in Brussels, it consists of commissioners from each member
state forming 'the college.'
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European Court of Justice (ECJ):
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● Role: Supreme court of the EU in matters of EU law, ensuring uniform application
and interpretation of European Law. Settles legal disputes
between national governments and EU institutions.
Hierarchy: The ECJ is above the national courts of member
●
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countries in matters of EU law.
Article 17 of the EU Copyright Directive:
● Purpose: Reshapes copyright law for the internet age, focusing

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on the relationship between copyright holders and online

platforms.
● Implementation: Requires online content-sharing service
providers to obtain authorization from right holders for uploaded content or take
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steps to avoid unauthorized uploads.
EU's Carbon Border Tax:

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● Mechanism: A carbon border-adjusted mechanism (CBAM) proposed to tax

energy-intensive sectors entering the EU to promote low-carbon manufacturing.
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Temporary Protection Directive of 2001:
● Purpose: Provides temporary protection to displaced persons during mass

influxes, when the standard asylum system is struggling.
● Recent Activation: Activated in response to the Ukraine crisis, marking the first
time the EU has invoked the directive.
Council of Europe:

● Objective: Dedicated to upholding human rights, democracy, and the rule of law
in Europe while promoting European culture.
● Headquarters: Located in Strasbourg, France.
● Membership: Consists of 46 member states and is distinct from the European
Union.
● Precedence: No country has joined the EU without first belonging to the Council
of Europe.
● Legislative Power: Unlike the EU, the Council of Europe cannot create binding
laws but has the authority to enforce select international agreements among
European states.
● European Court of Human Rights: The most renowned body within the Council,
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responsible for enforcing the European Convention on Human Rights.
● Commissioner for Human Rights: An independent institution mandated to raise
awareness of and ensure respect for human rights across member states.
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European Court of Human Rights:
● Establishment: Formed in Strasbourg, France, in 1959.

●
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Jurisdiction: Rules on individual or state applications alleging violations of civil
and political rights outlined in the European Convention on Human Rights.
Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU):
● Composition: Political and economic union comprising Armenia, Belarus,

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Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia.

● Objectives: Facilitates the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people
among its member countries.
● India's Negotiations: India is in negotiations to finalize a free trade agreement
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with the EAEU.
Eastern Economic Forum (EEF):

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● Establishment: Created by the Russian Federation in 2015 to support economic

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development in Russia's 'Far East' and foster international cooperation in the

Asia-Pacific region.
● Location: Annual event held in Vladivostok.
● Purpose: Serves as a platform for discussing key issues in the world economy,
regional integration, and the development of new industrial and technological
sectors.
● Geographical Scope: Borders two oceans, the Pacific and the Arctic, and shares
borders with five countries: China, Japan, Mongolia, the United States, and North
Korea.
The African Union (AU)

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African Union (AU):
● Formation and Membership: A continental body comprising 55 member states

from across Africa. Officially launched in 2002 in Durban, South Africa.
● Successor to OAU: The AU succeeded the Organisation of African Unity (OAU),
which existed from 1963 to 1999.
● Headquarters: Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
● Objectives: Reinforces the main objectives of the OAU, which aimed to rid the
continent of the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid.
● African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA): Member states have signed
the AfCFTA for goods and services at the 12th AU Summit. It is the world’s largest
Free Trade Agreement by the number of participating countries.
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● Agenda 2063: Calls for greater collaboration on African-led initiatives to achieve
the aspirations of African people.
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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):
● Formation and Membership: Founded in 1975, ECOWAS is a regional group

consisting of 15 West African countries.
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● Lagos Treaty: Established through the
Lagos Treaty.
● Mission: To promote economic
integration in all fields of economic
activity, social, and cultural matters.
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● Institutions:
1. The Commission
2. The Community Parliament
3. The Community Court of Justice
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4. ECOWAS Bank for Investment and

Development
● Main Institutions: The ECOWAS Commission and the ECOWAS Bank for
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Investment and Development (The Fund).

● Single Currency: Aims to establish a single common currency and create a single,
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large trading bloc in West Africa.

● Military Interventions: ECOWAS has intervened militarily in the region in the
past.
● Members: Benin, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau,
Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, and Togo.
● Suspended Members: Guinea, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
● Withdrawals: In 2024, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali announced their withdrawal
from the bloc.
● Alliance of Sahel States: Created in 2023, a mutual defense pact between Mali,
Niger, and Burkina Faso.

● Liptako-Gourma Region: Area where the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and
Niger meet.
East Asia Summit
East Asia Summit (EAS):
● Nature: A regional premier forum for strategic dialogue.

● Membership: Consists of 18 members, including the 10 ASEAN countries and
Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the US, and Russia.
● Leaders' Summit: Typically held annually alongside ASEAN meetings.
● Chair Rotation: The chair position of EAS rotates between ASEAN Member States
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annually.
● Additional Meetings: Apart from the Leaders’ Summit, meetings of EAS Foreign
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Ministers and Economic Ministers are also held annually.
● Upcoming Summit: The 19th EAS will take place in 2024 in Lao PDR, which is also
the 2024 ASEAN and EAS Chair.
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):

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● Establishment: Founded in 1989 as a regional forum for 21 Pacific Rim member
economies.
● Aim: To promote balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative, and
growth-oriented regional economic integration.
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● Headquarters: Located in Singapore.

● Members: Comprises 21 member economies, including Australia, Brunei, Canada,
Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, United States, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Mexico, Papua New Guinea,
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Chile, Peru, Russia, and Vietnam.

● Observers: Includes ASEAN, the Pacific Islands Forum, and the Pacific Economic
Cooperation Council.
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● India: While not a member, India has applied for membership and was invited to
be an observer for the first time in 2011.
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● Membership Criterion: Membership is open to separate economies rather than

states, resulting in the inclusion of Taiwan.
● Recent Summit: The U.S. hosted the APEC 2023 Summit under the theme
“Creating a Resilient & Sustainable Future for All”.
APEC SUMMIT 2023:

APEC 2023 Summit Highlights:
● Theme: Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All.
● Focus: Reaffirming commitment to free, fair, and open trade and investment, and
to advancing inclusive and sustainable growth in the region.

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● Outcome: Adoption of the Golden Gate Declaration, outlining a plan for achieving
a resilient and sustainable future for all member economies.
● Climate Action: Endorsement of the APEC Action Agenda on Climate Change and
Energy Security, which details concrete steps and targets for collaboration on
climate issues and ensuring energy security.
About Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC):
● Established: 1989
● Goal: Promote economic prosperity, integration, innovation, and secure growth
in the Asia-Pacific region.
● Headquartered: Singapore
● Members: 21 economies (listed in the passage) with India currently holding
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observer status.
Significance:
● Economic Powerhouse: APEC accounts for approximately 62% of world GDP and
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48% of world trade in 2021, making it a major economic force.
● Multilateral Platform: Established in 1989, it's one of the oldest and most
influential forums for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
● Flexible Cooperation: Unlike some organizations, APEC operates based on
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voluntary commitments and capacity-building projects, allowing members to
participate at their own pace.
● Broad Focus: APEC's goals extend beyond just trade. They aim to support
economic growth, regional integration, strengthen human security, and address
common challenges like climate change, health, and food security.
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● The annual APEC CEO Summit, which brings together business leaders to discuss
economic opportunities and challenges.
● The ongoing discussions on how to address geopolitical tensions within APEC.
Organization of Islamic Cooperation
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Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):

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● Establishment: Founded in 1969 as an international organization.

● Members: Comprises 57 member states.
● Headquarters: Located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
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● Aim: Works to safeguard and protect the interests of the Muslim world while
promoting international peace and harmony.
● India's Membership: India is not a member but was invited to the meeting as a
guest of honor in 2019 for the first time.
● Recent Developments: The 49th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers was
held in Nouakchott, Mauritania.
Gulf Cooperation Council
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC):

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● Establishment: Formed in 1981 as a regional political and economic alliance.
● Members: Consists of 6 Gulf States: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia,
and the United Arab Emirates.
● Aim: Aims to achieve closer union between the energy-rich Gulf countries.
● Blockade of Qatar: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, and Egypt imposed an air, land,
and sea blockade on Qatar in 2017.
● Recent Development: The four blockading countries signed the Al-Ula
declaration during the 41st GCC summit, based on greater cooperation within the
Council.
Arab League (League of Arab States):
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What it is:
● The Arab League, also known as the League of Arab States (LAS), is a regional
organization for Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
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● It's an intergovernmental organization, meaning it's made up of independent
countries working together.
When and Where it was Formed:
● Established in Cairo, Egypt in 1945, following an agreement reached in 1944.
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Members:
● Currently has 22 member states, including Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and
many others.
Goals:
● Promote cooperation among Arab states in political, cultural, economic, and
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social areas.
● Mediate disputes between member states and even between them and other
countries.
● The organization also aims for joint defense and economic cooperation among its
members.
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The Council:
● The Arab League's main decision-making body.
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● Composed of representatives from each member state, typically foreign ministers

or their delegates.
● Decisions are made by majority vote, but there's no way to force members to
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follow them.
● Each member gets one vote, and resolutions are only binding on those who voted
for them.
● Recent Developments: Syria has been readmitted to the Arab League after more
than a decade of being ousted due to President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on
pro-democracy protests.
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC):
● Establishment: Formed as an intergovernmental organization in 1960.

● Members: Includes 13 nations.
● Headquarters: Located in Vienna.
● Objective: Aims to coordinate and unify petroleum policies to stabilize oil
markets.
● OPEC+: Includes the 13 OPEC members and 10 major non-OPEC oil-exporting
nations, cooperating since 2016 to fix global crude oil prices.
CARICOM Countries
CARICOM (Caribbean Community):
● Establishment: Formed in 1973 by the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
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● Objective: Economic and political community aimed at shaping policies for the
region, encouraging economic growth, and promoting trade.
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● Membership: Consists of 15 member states and 5 associate members.
● India-CARICOM Summit: Held in New York in 2019, where India announced
significant grants and a Line of Credit for community development projects,
renewable energy, and climate change-related works.
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Commonwealth of Nations:
● Membership: Organization of 56 member states, mostly former territories of the

British Empire.
● Structure: Operates by intergovernmental
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consensus through the Commonwealth

Secretariat and non-governmental
organizations via the Commonwealth
Foundation.
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● Head: King Charles III serves as the Head of the

Commonwealth and the monarch of 16
Commonwealth realms.
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● Values: United by language, history, culture,

and shared values of democracy, free speech,
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human rights, and the rule of law.

● Meetings: Member countries meet every two
years at the Commonwealth Heads of
Government Meeting to discuss issues affecting the Commonwealth and the
wider world.
● Equal Voice: All members have an equal voice regardless of size or economic
stature.
● Admission: Membership is not restricted to former British territories; countries
like Mozambique and Rwanda have been admitted without any link to the British
Empire.

● Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI): Independent organization
headquartered in New Delhi, promoting awareness of and adherence to human
rights instruments.
● Harare Commonwealth Declaration: Issued in 1991, outlining the
Commonwealth's core principles, values, membership criteria, and purpose.
Arctic Council
Arctic Council:
● Purpose: Leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation,

coordination, and interaction among Arctic States, indigenous communities, and
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other inhabitants on common Arctic issues, particularly sustainable development
and environmental protection.
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● Membership: Consists of eight Arctic States: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. Additionally, six organizations
representing Arctic indigenous peoples have permanent participant status.
● Observers: Non-Arctic States can obtain observer status, contributing primarily
through engagement in the Council's working groups. Observer countries include
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China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Poland,
Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.
● Secretariat: Based in Tromsø, Norway.
MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market):

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● Nature: Full customs union and trading bloc with members Argentina, Brazil,
Paraguay, and Uruguay.
● Suspension: Venezuela was suspended from membership in 2016.
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● Associate Members: Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and

Suriname.
● Observer Countries: New Zealand and Mexico.
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● Purpose: Promotes free trade and the fluid movement of goods, people, and
currency.
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● India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement: Operational since 2009, aiming

to expand trade relations between India and MERCOSUR bloc members. Efforts
are underway to further enhance this agreement to increase market access.
NAM Summit
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM):
● Establishment: Founded in 1961 with 29 members, including India as one of the

founding nations.

● Growth: Expanded to include 120 member states, becoming one of the largest
groupings of nation-states.
● Purpose: Created as a platform for countries unwilling to align with the two
superpowers of the time, the USA and USSR.
● Historical Context: Emerged during the collapse of the colonial system and
independence struggles, amidst the Cold War.
● Bandung Conference: Considered a precursor to NAM, held in 1955 in Bandung,
aimed at identifying world issues and pursuing joint policies in international
relations.
● Ten Principles of Bandung: Proclaimed at the Bandung Conference, these
principles governed relations among large and small nations.
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● Founding Fathers: Leaders such as Abdel Nasser, Kwame Nkrumah, Jawaharlal
Nehru, Ahmed Sukarno, and Josip Broz Tito are considered the founding fathers
of NAM.
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● First Summit: Held in Cairo, Egypt, in 1961.
● Ministerial Meetings: Began in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, in 1961, emphasizing
complete independence of member states in their foreign policy.
● NAM 2.0: Calls for reimagining the non-alignment concept emerged in 2012,
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reflecting changing global realities, including the rise of China.
● Recent Summit: The 19th Summit took place in 2024 in Kampala, Uganda, with
Uganda assuming chairmanship for 2024-2027.
19th NAM SUMMIT:

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Host, Theme, and Leadership Shift:

● President Museveni of Uganda played host to the summit.
● The guiding theme aimed for "Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global
Affluence."
● Uganda assumed the chairmanship from Azerbaijan,
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holding the position until 2027.

Key Decisions and India's Involvement:
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● The summit culminated in the Kampala Declaration,

strongly criticizing Israeli military actions and
demanding access to humanitarian aid for the
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besieged Gaza Strip.

● India, represented by its External Affairs Minister,
spearheaded the call for a sustainable solution to the
crisis in Gaza.
● India underlined the urgency of immediate
humanitarian relief and stressed the need to prevent the conflict from escalating
further in the West Asian region.
Additional Insights:

● The passage acknowledges President Museveni's regret concerning the expulsion
of Indians by Idi Amin during the 1970s. This highlights the esteemed position
held by the Indian diaspora in Uganda.
● India emerges as a strong advocate for resolving the Gaza crisis and supporting
developing nations (part of the "global south").
In essence, the passage provides a comprehensive overview of the 19th NAM Summit. It
highlights Uganda's leadership role, the focus on achieving global cooperation and
development, and India's firm stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
China’s 17+1
China's 17+1 Initiative:
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● Formation: Established in 2012 in Warsaw as the China-CEEC cooperation forum,
later expanded to include Greece, becoming the 17+1 cooperation.
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● Objective: A platform for cooperation between China and Central and Eastern
European Countries (CEEC) with a focus on promoting business and investment
relations.
● Alignment: Viewed as an extension of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
●
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Membership Changes: Lithuania exited in 2021, while Latvia and Estonia
departed in 2022.
● Infrastructure Focus: Emphasizes infrastructure projects like bridges,
motorways, railway lines, and port modernization in member states.
● Member States: Comprises 12 EU member states and 3 Balkan states, including
Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Greece,
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Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and

Slovenia.
Organization of American States (OAS):

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● Membership: Includes all 35 independent states of the Americas.

Forum Role: Serves as the primary political, juridical, and social governmental
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●
forum in the Hemisphere.
● Observer Status: Granted to 69 states and the European Union (EU).
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● India's Position: Holds permanent observer status.

● Pillars: Organized around four main pillars: democracy, human rights, security,
and development.
IMPORTANT CONVENTIONS AND PROTOCOLS
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION THEME ON UN CONVENTIONS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

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Weapons and Nuclear Related Conventions
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Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)
● Purpose: Multilateral treaty prohibiting all nuclear explosions, whether for

civilian or military purposes, in all environments.
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● Adoption: Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1996.

● Structure of CTBT:
○ Protocols:
■ Part I: International Monitoring System (IMS).
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■ Part II: On-Site Inspections (OSI).

■ Part III: Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs).
○ Annexes to the Protocol:
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■ Annex 1: Details the location of various Treaty monitoring assets

associated with the IMS.
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■ Annex 2: Specifies parameters for screening events.

● CTBTO Organization:
○ Established in Vienna to ensure the implementation of CTBT provisions.
○ Comprises the Preparatory Commission (a plenary body) and the
Provisional Technical Secretariat (PTS).
● Administration: Administered by the Preparatory Commission for CTBTO.
● Entry into Force Condition: For the treaty to take effect, 44 "Annex 2" States
must sign and ratify the Treaty.
● Signed but not Ratified: China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the United States.
● Non-signatories: India, North Korea, and Pakistan.
● Withdrawal Clause:

○ Each State Party has the right to withdraw from the CTBT if it determines
that extraordinary events jeopardize its supreme national interests.
Conventions Controlling Weapons of Mass Destruction
Convention Purpose
Geneva Protocol 1925 Banned the use of chemical and biological

weapons.
Biological Weapons Convention, Imposes a comprehensive ban on biological

1972 weapons.
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Chemical Weapons Convention, Imposes a comprehensive ban on chemical
1992 weapons.
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Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Regulates the use and proliferation of nuclear
(NPT) weapons.
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)

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● Adoption: The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was
adopted by the United Nations in 2017.
● Historic Significance: It marks the first multilateral legally-binding instrument
for complete nuclear disarmament.
● Comparison with NPT: Unlike the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of
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1968 and nuclear-weapon-free zones, the TPNW offers comprehensive

prohibitions.
● Scope of Prohibitions: The TPNW prohibits a wide range of nuclear-weapon
related activities, including development, testing, production, manufacturing,
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acquisition, possession, or stockpiling of nuclear weapons or other nuclear

explosive devices.
● Assistance Obligation: States parties are obliged to provide adequate assistance to
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individuals affected by the use or testing of nuclear weapons.

● Participation: Notably, the eight nuclear weapon states - US, Russia, Britain,
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China, France, India, Pakistan, and North Korea - along with Israel, did not
participate in the negotiations.
● India's Position: India has neither signed nor ratified the Treaty on the
Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW).
Pelindaba Treaty
● Establishment: The African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, commonly

known as the "Pelindaba Treaty," established the nuclear-weapon-free zone on
the African continent.

● Prohibitions: The treaty prohibits various nuclear activities within the designated
zone, including research, development, manufacture, stockpiling, acquisition,
testing, possession, control, or stationing of nuclear explosive devices.
○ It also prohibits the dumping of radioactive wastes within the zone and any
attack against nuclear installations by Treaty parties.
● IAEA Safeguards: The Treaty mandates all parties to apply full-scope
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards to all their peaceful
nuclear activities.
● Protocols:
○ Protocol I and II are open for signature by China, France, the Russian
Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and
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the United States of America.
○ Protocol III is open for signature by France and Spain.
○ Notably, South Sudan is not a signatory to this treaty.
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● Other Nuclear-Free Zone Treaties:
○ Apart from the Pelindaba Treaty, other notable nuclear-free zone treaties
include those covering Antarctica, Tlatelolco (Latin American and
Caribbean), Rarotonga (South Pacific), and Bangkok (ASEAN).
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UN Arms Trade Treaty
● Formation: The UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is a multilateral treaty regulating

the international trade in conventional weapons.
Negotiation and Adoption: Negotiated in New York City in 2012 under the
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●
auspices of the UN, it was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2013 and
entered into force in 2014.
● Ratification and Membership:
○ Currently, 113 states have ratified the treaty, with India not being a
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member.
○ Notable signatories include China (which has ratified), the USA (which
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signed but not ratified), and Andorra (became the 113th State Party in
2022).
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JCPOA:
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an international agreement

designed to limit Iran's nuclear program and prevent it from developing nuclear
weapons. It was signed in 2015 by Iran and the P5+1 group (China, France, Germany,
Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States).
Key Points:
● Iran's Commitments:
○ Limit uranium enrichment and plutonium production.
○ Implement safeguards for peaceful nuclear activities.

○ Grant access to inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA).
● Benefits for Iran: Relief from nuclear-related sanctions imposed by the EU, UN,
and US (excluding other US sanctions).
New START Treaty
● Overview: The New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) is a nuclear arms
reduction treaty between the United States and the Russian Federation.
● Formal Name: The formal name of the treaty is "Measures for the Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms."
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● Signing and Entry into Force: Signed in 2010 in Prague, the treaty entered into
force in 2011.
● Replacement of SORT: New START replaced the Treaty of Moscow (SORT).
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● Recent Developments:
○ New START was the last remaining arms reduction pact between Russia
and the United States.
○ Both countries met the treaty’s central limits on strategic offensive arms in
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2018.
○ An agreement was reached to extend the treaty until 2026.
○ However, Russia suspended its participation in February 2023, raising
concerns about the future of nuclear arms control between the two nations.
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Indo-US Nuclear Deal
● Overview: Also known as the 123 Agreement or the US-India Civil Nuclear
Agreement, this deal was signed between the USA and India in 2005.
● Indian Commitments:
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○ India agreed to separate its civilian and military nuclear activities.

○ It also committed to opening up the civilian sector to inspection by the
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International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

● US Commitments: In return, the US offered to resume full nuclear trade with
India, including the sale of reactors, transfer of technology, and uranium sales.
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● Complex Stages: The deal underwent several complex stages, including the
amendment of U.S. domestic law (Atomic Energy Act of 1954), the formulation of
a civil-military nuclear separation plan in India, and the negotiation of an
India-IAEA safeguards agreement.
● Implementation and Future:
○ The deal enabled American companies to participate in building nuclear
power reactors in India.
○ Despite the agreements, there has been no sign yet of any contract between
an American company and Indian authorities, raising questions about the
full implementation of the deal.

Hague Code of Conduct (HCOC)
● Establishment: The Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation

(HCOC), formerly known as the International Code of Conduct, was established in
2002 to prevent the proliferation of ballistic missiles.
● Objective: The HCOC does not ban ballistic missiles outright but calls for restraint
in their production, testing, and export.
● Supplement to MTCR: It supplements the Missile Technology Control Regime
(MTCR) in addressing the spread of ballistic missiles, but its membership is not
restricted.
● India's Membership: India joined the HCOC in 2016. However, Pakistan and
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China, India's nuclear-armed neighbors, are not signatories to it.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
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● Official Name: The Chemical Weapons Convention is formally known as the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling, and
Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction.
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● Implementing Body: The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
(OPCW) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the CWC.
● Membership:
○ The CWC is open to all nations and currently boasts 193 parties.
○ Notably, Israel has signed but not ratified the agreement.
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○ Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan have neither signed nor acceded to
the treaty.
● Significance: The CWC is the world’s first multilateral disarmament agreement to
mandate the elimination of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction
within a fixed time frame.
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● India's Involvement:
○ India signed the CWC in 1993 and enacted the Chemical Weapons
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Convention Act in 2000.

○ The National Authority Chemical Weapons Convention (NACWC) was
established under the Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000, to
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implement the provisions of the Convention.
Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
● Formation: The Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC), also known
as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), opened for signature in 1972.
● Historic Significance: It was the first multilateral disarmament treaty to prohibit
the production of an entire category of weapons.
● Membership: The BWC has 183 members, including India.
● Permitted Purposes: The BWC defines permitted purposes as prophylactic,
protective, and other peaceful purposes.

Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage
● Objective: This multilateral treaty relates to liability and compensation for

damage caused by a nuclear incident.
● Adoption: Adopted in 1997, it aims to increase the amount of compensation
available in the event of a nuclear incident through public funds.
● Funding and Treaty Relations:
○ The fund is made available by the Contracting Parties based on their
installed nuclear capacity and the UN rate of assessment.
○ It aims to establish treaty relations among states belonging to the Vienna
Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, the Paris Convention on
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Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy, or neither of them.
○ India passed its own domestic nuclear liability law, the Civil Law for
Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act, in 2010.
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Environment Related Conventions
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

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● Formation and Purpose: The UNFCCC was established in 1994 with the goal of
stabilizing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and safeguarding the Earth from the
impacts of climate change.
● Annual Meetings (COPs): Participants,
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signatories to the UNFCCC, have convened every

year since 1995 for Conference of the Parties
(COP) meetings.
● Membership: Currently, the UNFCCC comprises
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198 member states.

● Rio Conventions: It is one of the three Rio
Conventions alongside the Convention on
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Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention to

Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
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Recent Developments
Santiago Network
● Introduction: The Santiago Network, part of the Warsaw International

Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) under the UNFCCC, aims to provide
technical support and resources to vulnerable developing countries to address
loss and damage from climate change.
● Genesis:
○ Proposal made at COP19 in 2013 (Warsaw, Poland).
○ Established at COP25 in 2019 (Madrid, Spain).

○ Decision on functions made at COP26 in 2021 (Glasgow, UK).
○ Terms of references adopted and advisory body established at COP27 in
2022 (Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt).
● Function: Contributes to the implementation of the functions of the Warsaw
international mechanism.
● Hosts: Hosted by the United Nations for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and
United Nations Office for Project Services.
Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA)
● Introduction: Launched at COP28 in Dubai in 2023. Inspired by India’s ‘River

Cities Alliance’ (RCA).
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● Secretariat: Led by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Jal
Shakti Ministry and the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) under the
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Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
● Aim: To enhance global efforts towards river conservation and sustainable water
management.
● Membership: Includes 9 countries (India, Denmark, Cambodia, Japan, Bhutan,
Australia, Netherlands, Egypt, and Ghana), as well as numerous Indian River
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cities and others.
● Support: Backed by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Asian
Infrastructure Investment Bank.
● Activities: Focus on water monitoring programs, sharing best practices for urban
area renaturation, and restoring aquatic ecosystems for sustainable urban
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development initiatives.
UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

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● Formation and Background: CBD came into force in 1993 as a result of the 1992
Rio Earth Summit, alongside the UNFCCC and UNCCD. Each agreement holds
separate Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings.
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● Membership: 196 countries, including India, have ratified the CBD and are parties
to the COP.
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● Objectives: Conservation of biological diversity. Sustainable use of components of

biological diversity. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the
utilization of genetic resources.
● Notable Exception: The US is the only UN member state not to have ratified the
treaty but still participates in biodiversity COPs.
● Supplementary Agreements: The CBD has led to two supplementary agreements:
the Cartagena Protocol of 2003 and the Nagoya Protocol of 2014.
Recent Developments

● 25th Meeting of SBSTTA (Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and
Technological Advice): Held in Nairobi, Kenya in 2023.
● Purpose of SBSTTA: An open-ended intergovernmental scientific advisory body
created under Article 25 of the CBD.
○ Reports to the COP.
● SBSTTA-25: First meeting since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global
Biodiversity Framework in 2022.Approximately 670 participants from 135
countries attended.
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United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
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● Global Voice for Land: UNCCD serves as the global advocate for land-related
issues.
● Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals: UNCCD plays a pivotal role in
advancing Sustainable Development Goal 15 and the concept of Land Degradation
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Neutrality.
● Global Land Outlook Report: UNCCD publishes the Global Land Outlook report,
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which provides insights into global land management issues and solutions.
Minamata Convention on Mercury

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● Objective: An international environmental treaty aiming to safeguard human

health and the environment from the detrimental effects of mercury and its
compounds.
● India's Participation: India is a party to the Minamata Convention, having
ratified it in 2018.
Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
● Purpose: A global treaty established to shield human health and the environment
from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), identified chemical substances known

for persisting in the environment, accumulating in living organisms, and causing
adverse impacts on human health and the environment through long-range
environmental transport.
● India's Ratification:
○ India ratified the Convention in 2006 under Article 25(4), placing itself in a
default "opt-out" position. This stance means that amendments to various
Annexes of the convention cannot be enforced on India unless it explicitly
deposits an instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval, or accession
with the UN depositary.
● Regulatory Measures: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) notified the 'Regulation of Persistent Organic Pollutants Rules, 2018'
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under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
● Access to Financial Resources: Ratification facilitates India's access to financial
resources from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for updating the National
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Implementation Plan (NIP).
● Streamlined Procedure: The Cabinet has delegated its powers to ratify chemicals
under the Stockholm Convention to the Union Ministers of External Affairs (MEA)
and Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MEFCC). This delegation applies to
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POPs already regulated under domestic regulations, streamlining the ratification
procedure.
First Movers Coalition
Definition: A global initiative launched at COP26 to decarbonize carbon-heavy

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●
industries and long-distance transport sectors.
● Key Points:
○ Launched by the US and the World Economic Forum.
○ Aims to decarbonize industries responsible for 30% of global emissions,
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including aluminum, aviation, chemicals, concrete, shipping, steel, and

trucking.
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Other important Conventions

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Astana Declaration
● Adoption: The Astana Declaration was signed by many UN members, including

India, in 2018.
● Objective: It aims to bolster primary healthcare services and achieve universal
health coverage by the year 2030.
● Historical Context: The declaration commemorates the 40th anniversary of the
Alma Ata Declaration, which recognized health as a fundamental human right for
all.

Ashgabat Agreement (2016)
● Objective: The Ashgabat Agreement aims to establish a multimodal international

transport transit corridor.
● Founding Members: Founding members include Oman, Iran, Turkmenistan, and
Uzbekistan. Kazakhstan has also subsequently joined this arrangement.
● Expansion: Pakistan joined the Ashgabat Agreement in 2016, followed by India's
membership in 2018.
Additional Information:
● Lapis Lazuli Corridor: This corridor is an agreement between Afghanistan,
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Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey.
○ It seeks to promote transit and trade cooperation by reducing barriers
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faced by transit trade.
Hague Adoption Convention
● Adoption: The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in

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Respect of Intercountry Adoption was adopted in 1993.
● Objective: It aims to protect children in international adoptions by preventing
illegal, irregular, premature, or ill-prepared adoptions abroad. Additionally, it
seeks to prevent child abduction, sale, or trafficking.
● Reinforcement of Child Rights: The convention reinforces Article 21 of the UN
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Convention on the Rights of the Child.

● India's Membership: India ratified the Hague Convention in 2003.
● The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) in India serves as the nodal
agency to implement the convention's provisions.
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Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC)

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● Formation and Objective: The Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC) is an

international maritime grouping aimed at combating piracy in the Indian Ocean
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Region.
● Adoption and Establishment: Adopted on 29th January 2009, it operates under
the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
● Membership:
○ The DCOC has been signed by 20 countries, including Djibouti, Ethiopia,
Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Seychelles, Somalia, the United Republic of
Tanzania, Yemen, Comoros, Egypt, Eritrea, Jordan, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sudan, and the United
Arab Emirates.

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○ These member states are located in areas adjoining the Red Sea, Gulf of
Aden, and the east coast of Africa, and include island nations in the Indian
Ocean.
● Observer Status: India joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct (DCOC) as an observer
in 2020.
Hong Kong Convention for Ship Recycling
● Adoption: The Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and
Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships was adopted by the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2009.
Objective: The convention aims to ensure that ship recycling does not pose any
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●
unnecessary risks to human health, safety, or the environment.
● India acceded to the Hong Kong Convention for Recycling of Ships in 2019.
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Budapest Convention
● Objective: The Budapest Convention is the sole legally binding multilateral treaty
that coordinates cybercrime investigations between nation-states and
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criminalizes certain cybercrime conduct.
● Leadership and Membership: Led by the Council of Europe, it includes both
members and non-members of the Council.
● India is not a Member: Notably, India, Russia, and China are not members
● Second Protocol: The Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention,
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known as the "Second Protocol," focuses on enhanced cooperation and disclosure

of electronic evidence.
1951 Refugee Convention

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● Formation: The 1951 Refugee Convention is a United Nations multilateral treaty

defining who is a refugee and setting out the rights of individuals granted asylum,
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as well as the responsibilities of nations granting asylum.

● Core Principles:
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○ It prohibits the return (refoulement) of refugees to a country where they

face serious threats to their life or freedom.
○ The Convention also outlines which individuals do not qualify as refugees,
such as war criminals.
● Protocols: The 1967 Protocol broadens the applicability of the Convention by
removing geographical and time limits.
● UNHCR Involvement: The UNHCR serves as the guardian of the 1951 Convention
and its 1967 Protocol.
● India's Position: India is not a member of this Convention or its Protocol.
Geneva Conventions

● Formation: The Geneva Conventions of 1949 consist of four treaties and
additional protocols, formalized in 1949, 1977, and 2005.
● Focus: They primarily focus on the treatment of non-combatants and prisoners
of war.
● Applicability: While they do not cover the use of conventional or biological and
chemical weapons, the use of which is governed respectively by the Hague
Conventions and the Geneva Protocol.
● Fourth Geneva Convention: The Fourth Geneva Convention, particularly relevant
to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, protects civilians during
armed conflict.
● Russia's Position: Russia withdrew its declaration under Article 90 of Protocol I
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in 2019, potentially limiting international fact-finding missions.
Montreux Convention
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● Purpose: The Montreux Convention Regarding the Regime of the Straits is an
international agreement governing the Bosporus and Dardanelles Straits in
Turkey.
●
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Signatories: Signed by several nations including Australia, France, Japan, the
Soviet Union, Turkey, among others.
● Key Provisions: It grants Turkey the right to regulate the transit of naval
warships during conflicts and restrict passage to warships of involved countries.
● Exception Clause: Article 19 allows warships of Black Sea countries to return to
their bases through the straits, despite Turkey's restrictions.
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UN Convention against Torture
● Adoption: Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1984, the UN

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Convention against Torture aims to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman, or
degrading treatment.
Entry into Force: It came into force on 26 June 1987, which is now recognized as
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●
the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.
● Parties and India's Position: Currently, 173 parties have ratified this convention,
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including Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

○ India has signed but not ratified this convention, which is considered
crucial for human rights protection.
Singapore Convention on Mediation
● Purpose: The Singapore Convention on Mediation provides a uniform and

efficient framework for international settlement agreements resulting from
mediation.
● Key Points:
○ Named after Singapore, it is the first UN treaty to bear the country's name.

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○ Signed in 2019 and entered into force in 2020, it applies to international
settlement agreements resulting from mediation to resolve commercial
disputes.
○ Businesses can seek enforcement of mediated settlement agreements
across borders by applying directly to courts of countries that have signed
and ratified the treaty.
○ Currently, there are 56 signatories to the convention, including major
economies like India, China, and the US, with 11 of them having ratified it.
Nigeria is one of the recent ratifications.
Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
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● Purpose: The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) sets
minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment, and operation of
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merchant ships.
● Administration: Administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO),
SOLAS aims to enhance maritime safety and prevent accidents at sea.
● Historical Context: Initially passed in 1914 after the sinking of the RMS Titanic,
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the current version in force is the SOLAS 1974 Amendment.
UN High Seas Treaty (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Treaty)
● Purpose: Also known as the ‘Paris Agreement for the Ocean,’ the UN High Seas
Treaty aims to protect marine life in international waters beyond national
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jurisdiction.
● Scope: Concerns marine biodiversity beyond Exclusive Economic Zones, where no
country has jurisdiction, and no entity is responsible for resource management
and protection.
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● Negotiation and Framework:

○ Developed under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982, it was negotiated to address biodiversity
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conservation in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

○ The treaty is being negotiated through the Intergovernmental Conference
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(IGC) and involves stakeholders such as the European Union's High

Ambition Coalition on BBNJ.
Vienna Convention (1961)
● Purpose: The Vienna Convention is an international treaty that provides a

framework for diplomatic relations between independent countries.
● Key Provisions:
○ It specifies the privileges of diplomatic missions, ensuring diplomats can
perform their functions without coercion or harassment by the host
country.

○ The convention establishes the legal basis for diplomatic immunity,
protecting diplomats from legal prosecution in the host country.
○ Under Article 22, the security of any embassy or high commission is the
responsibility of the host nation.
● Adoption and Ratification: Adopted by the United Nations Conference on
Diplomatic Intercourse and Immunities in 1961, it entered into force in 1964.
Ratified by 193 countries, excluding Palau and South Sudan.
● Implementation in India: India ratified the convention and enacted the
Diplomatic Relations (Vienna Convention) Act, 1972, to give effect to its
provisions and address related matters.
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Warsaw Convention
● Definition: An international agreement governing civil aviation, establishing
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rules and regulations for international carriers regarding liability for air transport
of passengers and luggage.
● Purpose: Defines liability for international carriers regarding the transport of
passengers and luggage.
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○ Provides a common framework for dispute resolution between parties from
different countries.
● Montreal Convention:
○ A multilateral treaty adopted by member states of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) amending key provisions of the Warsaw
Convention, particularly concerning compensation for victims of air
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disasters.
TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights)

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● Definition: An international legal agreement among all member nations of the

WTO, setting down minimum standards for the regulation of various forms of
intellectual property as applied to nationals of other WTO member nations.
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● Key Points:
○ Negotiated at the end of the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on
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Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1994.

○ Administered by the WTO.
○ Introduced intellectual property law into the international trading system.
○ Requires member states to provide protection for copyrights, geographical
indications, patents, trademarks, etc.
○ Developing countries were given extra time to implement changes to their
national laws.
○ The Doha Declaration emphasized promoting access to medicines for all.
Kimberley Process

● Definition: A joint initiative involving governments, the international diamond
industry, and civil society to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds.
● Purpose: Defines conflict diamonds as those used by rebel movements or their
allies to finance conflicts aimed at undermining legitimate governments.
● Key Details: Established in 2003 with representation from 85 countries, including
the EU. India is one of the founding members.
Mission Innovation
● Definition: A global initiative involving 23 countries and the European

Commission, committed to accelerating clean energy innovation.
Purpose: Seeks to make clean energy widely affordable by doubling public
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●
investment in clean energy research, development, and demonstration (RD&D).
● Recent Developments: Mission Innovation 2.0 launched in 2021 to catalyze a
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decade of action and investment in clean energy RD&D.
TIR Convention (Transports Internationaux Routiers Convention)
Definition: An international transit system under the United Nations Economic

●
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Commission for Europe (UNECE), facilitating the seamless movement of goods
within and amongst member countries.
● Purpose:
○ Allows for efficient movement of goods along designated transport routes.
○ India has ratified the convention, enabling seamless movement of goods
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along the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and

boosting trade with Central Asian Republics and other CIS countries.
Cape Town Convention

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● Definition: An international agreement concerning the financing of movable

assets, such as aircraft, railways, and space equipment.
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● Key Points:
○ Adopted in 2001, addressing aviation, railways, and space equipment with
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separate protocols for each sector.

○ India acceded to the Convention and the Protocol in March 2008.
○ India plans to enact the Cape Town Convention Act to reduce risks related
to asset-based financing and leasing transactions in civil aviation.
Antarctic Treaty
● Purpose: Aims to preserve Antarctica for scientific research and peaceful

purposes, prohibiting military activities, nuclear tests, and disposal of radioactive
waste.
● Key Provisions:

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○ Provides for freedom of scientific investigation and exchange of scientific
observations and results.
○ Neutralizes territorial sovereignty and prohibits disputes over territorial
claims.
Open Skies Treaty
● Purpose: Establishes unarmed aerial observation flights over the territories of

signatory states to enhance mutual understanding and confidence.
● Key Points:
○ Signed in 1992 between NATO members and former Warsaw Pact countries.
○ Aims to reduce the chances of accidental war by allowing member states to
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gather information through aerial imaging.
○ Members can conduct observation flights over each other's territories with
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consent, sharing information gathered with all member states.
Raisina Dialogue
Definition: India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics held

●
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annually in New Delhi.
● Key Points:
○ Organized by the Ministry of External Affairs in partnership with the
Observer Research Foundation.
○ Modeled after Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue.
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○ Named after Raisina Hill, the seat of the Government of India, and the
Rashtrapati Bhavan.
○ Aims to address the most challenging issues facing the global community.
○ The 9th edition was held in 2024 with the theme "Chaturanga: Conflict,
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Contest, Cooperate, Create."
Caspian Sea Breakthrough Treaty

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● Key Points:
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○ Signed in 2018 by the five bordering countries of the Caspian Sea

(Kazakhstan, Russia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkmenistan).
○ Ends the dispute over the legal status of the Caspian Sea, granting it special
legal status.
○ Provides for common usage of surface water but divides up the seabed, rich
in natural resources.
○ Allows for laying pipelines offshore with consent only from neighboring
states affected.
○ Removes legal barriers to building a trans-Caspian gas pipeline from
Turkmenistan to Europe.

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UNCAC :
● Milestone Anniversary: 2023 marked the 20th year of the UNCAC, a significant
achievement in the fight against corruption.
● International Recognition: The UNCAC was signed in Mexico on December 9,
2003, and entered into force two years later on December 14, 2005. December 9th
was subsequently declared International Anti-Corruption Day, highlighting the
importance of this global effort.
● Unique Legal Force: The UNCAC is the only international treaty specifically
focused on combating corruption, making it a powerful tool for holding countries
accountable.
● Comprehensive Approach: The Convention tackles corruption through five key
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areas:
○ Preventive Measures: Proactive steps to prevent corruption from
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happening in the first place.
○ Criminalization and Law Enforcement: Establishing clear laws against
corruption and enforcing them effectively.
○ International Cooperation: Countries working together to combat
cross-border corruption.
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○ Asset Recovery: Recovering stolen assets and returning them to their
rightful owners.
○ Technical Assistance and Information Exchange: Sharing knowledge and
resources to support anti-corruption efforts around the world.
● Wide Scope: The UNCAC addresses various forms of corruption, including bribery,
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trading in influence, abuse of power, and corrupt practices within the private
sector.
Important Agreements on Arms Control and Disarmament Agreements
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S.NO AGREEMENTS SIGNIFICANCE

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1 ● It promotes transparency and greater

Wassenaar responsibility in transfer of conventional arms
and dual-use goods and technologies.
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Arrangement
● It came into being in 1996 to succeed the Cold
War-era Coordinating Committee for
Multilateral Export Controls.
● It has 42 members and all the permanent UNSC
members are signatories except China.
● India has been admitted as the 42nd member.
● Where do they meet annually? Vienna,Austria,
and make their decisions based on consensus.

2 ● Originally called “London Club”, it was founded
Nuclear Suppliers in response to the Indian nuclear test in 1974.
Group ● It is a voluntary, non-legally binding export
control regime.
● It is a group of nuclear supplier countries that
seeks to contribute to the non-proliferation of
nuclear weapons through the implementation
of two sets of Guidelines for nuclear exports and
nuclear-related exports.
● The NSG Guidelines were published in 1978 by
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
to ensure that nuclear trade for peaceful
purposes does not contribute to the
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proliferation of nuclear weapons.
● It has 48 participants with the European
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Commission and the Chair of the Zangger
Committee as observers.
● Signatories to the NPT can join the NSG.
● After the India U.S Civil Nuclear Agreement,
India has been trying to become a member. But
its membership has been blocked by China
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3 ● MTCR is an informal, non-treaty association of
Missile Technology governments sharing common interests in the
Control Regime nonproliferation of missiles, unmanned air
vehicles, and related technologies.
● Started in 1987 by Japan.
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● It aims to limit the spread of ballistic missiles

and other unmanned delivery systems that
could be used for chemical, biological, and
nuclear attacks.
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● It has 35 members, which include most of the

world's key missile manufacturers, including
India. Pakistan is not a member.
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● It seeks to restrict the exports of missiles and

related technologies of any type of weapon of
mass destruction.
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4 ● The Australia Group (AG) is an informal forum

Australia Group of countries which seeks to ensure export
controls over development of chemical or
biological weapons.
● It has 43 members including India and the
European Union. o China is not a member 0f AG
nor of MTCR nor Wassenaar Arrangement.
● All States participating in the AG are Parties to
the Chemical Weapons Convention and the
Biological Weapons Convention.
● AG meets once a year in Paris with Australia as a

chair.
5 ● It is the only permanent multilateral

Conference on disarmament negotiating forum of the
Disarmament international community.
● Though it includes practically all multilateral
arms control and disarmament problems, it
focuses on nuclear arms race and nuclear
disarmament.
● It was established by the UNGA in 1979 and
meets annually in Geneva in a three-part
session.
● It is independent of the United Nations and it
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submits reports annually or more often to the
UNGA.
● Currently, the CD consists of 65 member states
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including India.
● India recognizes CD as the single multilateral
disarmament negotiation forum and discards
any other forum.
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6 ● It is a subsidiary organ of the UN General
UN Disarmament Assembly, created in 1952, composing all UN
Commission member states and reports annually to UNGA.
● It was created as a deliberative body to prepare
proposals for a treaty for the regulation,
limitation and balanced reduction of all armed
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forces and all armaments, including the

elimination of all weapons of mass destruction.
● The UNDC is serviced substantively by the
Office for Disarmament Affairs and technically
by the Department of General Assembly Affairs
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and Conference Services.

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IMPORTANT TRADE AGREEMENTS

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India is a member of which of the following? (UPSC IAS/2015)

1) Asia-Pacific economic cooperation.
2) Association of South-East Asian Nations.
3) East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1, 2, and 3
d) India is a member of none of them

S.NO TRADE SIGNIFICANCE AND IMP GUIDELINES
AGREEMENTS
1 The IPEF was launched in Tokyo in 2022.

Indo-Pacific
Economic ● The 14 members of the IPEF include India, US,
Framework for Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Republic
Prosperity (IPEF) of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
● Through this initiative, the IPEF partners aim to
contribute to cooperation, stability, prosperity,
development, and peace within the region.
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● 4 pillars of the framework - Trade, Supply
Chains, Clean Energy, Decarbonisation and
Infrastructure, Tax and AntiCorruption.
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● India has joined 3 pillars except the trade pillar.
● The IPEF is designed to be flexible so that the
IPEF partners are not required to join all four
pillars.
● Under the IPEF Fair Economy Agreement
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members have resolved to cooperate for
combating corruption and seizing proceeds of
crime
2 It is a trade deal signed among 15 countries.

RCEP ● These countries include 10 member countries of
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the Association of Southeast Asian Nations

(ASEAN) and Australia, China, South Korea, Japan
and New Zealand.
● The members account for nearly 30% of global
GDP.
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● The 3 largest economies in the pact, China, Japan

and South Korea are part of a free trade
agreement for the first time.
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● In 2019, India walked out of the agreement as

negotiations failed to address the country’s
issues and concerns.
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● RCEP will cover trade in goods, trade in services,

investment, economic and technical
co-operation, intellectual p
● property, competition, dispute settlement and
other issues.
● It aims to achieve the high level of tariff
liberalization, through building upon the existing
liberalisation levels between participating
countries.
● It takes into account the East Asia Free Trade
Agreement (EAFTA) and the Comprehensive
Economic Partnership in East

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● Asia (CEPEA) initiatives, with the difference that
the RCEP is not working on a predetermined
membership
● Instead, it is based on open accession which
enables participation of any of the ASEAN FTA
partners.
3 ● It was signed in 1975 as an initiative of the UN-

Asia Pacific Trade Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Agreement Pacific.
● It was previously named the Bangkok Agreement.
● Members - Bangladesh, China, India, Sri Lanka,
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Mongolia, Laos and South Korea.
● It is a preferential trade agreement, under which
the basket of items as well as extent of tariff
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concessions are enlarged. APTA is the only
operational trade agreement linking China and
India.
4 CPTPP is a free trade agreement (FTA) between 11

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Comprehensive Asia-Pacific countries.
and Progressive ● Also known as TPP-11, the CPTPP agreement has
Trans-Pacific been functional since 2018. It came to replace
Partnership TPP.
● It incorporates the provisions of the
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement
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(signed in 2016 but not yet in force), with the

exception of a limited set of suspended
provisions.
● Members - Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore,
Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand,
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Brunei and Vietnam. o All the members must be

members of the AsiaPacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC).
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● It removed the provision that mandated that the

deal's final members must account for at least
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85% of the combined gross domestic product of

the original signatories.
● It also suspended some two dozen provisions that
the U.S. had fought for but that the other
countries had been reluctant to include.
● Recent Developments - The United Kingdom
recently signed the CPTPP.
5 ● The North American Free Trade Agreement is an

NAFTA agreement signed in 1994 by Canada, Mexico, and
the United States, creating a trilateral trade bloc
in North America.
● The goal of NAFTA was to eliminate barriers to

trade and investment between the U.S., Canada
and Mexico.
● It established the CANAMEX Corridor for road
transport between Canada and Mexico, also
proposed for use by rail, pipeline and fiber optic
telecommunications infrastructure.
6 ● Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) is a

Supply Chain trilateral approach to trade, mooted by Japan with
Resilience India and Australia as the key-partners.
Initiative (SCRI) ● The initiative aims to reduce the dependency on a
single nation (at present China).
● SCRI is a direct response to individual companies
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and economies concerned about Chinese political
behavior and the disruption that could lead to the
supply chain. SCRI aims to attract foreign direct
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investment to turn the Indo-Pacific into an
“economic powerhouse”.
7 ● It is a bloc comprising four countries -

European Free Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
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Trade Association ● The four EFTA countries are not part of the EU.
● India EFTA Pact - India and EFTA started
negotiating a broad-based Trade and Investment
Agreement in 2008, shortly after India started
FTA talks with the European Union.
● The agreement is expected to promote economic
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ties between the countries.

● The talks resumed in Geneva in 2016, but hit a
rough patch after Switzerland insisted on a
stringent IPR regime in India.
● Switzerland has offered to make some
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concessions as it seeks to put talks on the

India-EFTA trade deal on the fast track, hoping to
seal it this year as the two countries celebrate 75
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years of their friendship treaty.

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IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION THEME
The official mandate of the IMF includes :(TSPSC GROUP-1 PYQ 2022)
A. To promote international monetary cooperation.
B. To promote exchange stability.
C. To eliminate foreign exchange restrictions.
D. To provide long-term loans for the projects.
E. To facilitate the expansion and balanced growth of international trade.
Choose the correct answer.

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(1) A, B & D only
(3) C, D & E only
(2) A, B, C & E only
(4) A, B, C, D & E
S.NO INSTITUTION SIGNIFICANCE
1 IMF was conceived at a UN conference in Bretton Woods in

International July 1944 to build a framework for economic cooperation in
Monetary Fund the aftermath of the Great Depression of the 1930s.
● IMF has 190 countries as its members. Headquarters -
Washington, D.C. FAO Founded in 1945 Headquarters
C
Rome, Italy India’s membership India is a member
● Aim- To provide loans to member countries
experiencing actual or potential balance of payments
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problems.
● Unlike development banks, the IMF does not lend for
specific projects and acts as a lender of last resort for
countries facing severe economic crises.
● Special Drawing Rights - The SDR is an international
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reserve asset, created by the IMF in 1969 to supplement
its member countries’ official reserves.
● Quota system - IMF quotas are distributed according to
a 4-pronged formula that considers a member
country’s GDP, its economic openness, economic
variability and international reserves.
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● Source of funding in IMF - Quotas are the IMF’s main

source of financing.
● Each member of the IMF is assigned a quota, based
broadly on its relative position in the world economy.
● IMF Bailout - Sri Lanka secured a $3 billion bailout
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(support to an entity facing a threat of bankruptcy)

from IMF amid the worst economic crisis.
● The IMF lends money to countries in the form of
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Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) from a basket of five

currencies, US dollar, Euro, Chinese Yuan, Japanese Yen
and British Pound.
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● India is a founder member of the IMF.

● India has not taken any financial assistance from the
IMF since 1993. Repayments of all the loans taken from
the International Monetary Fund were completed in
May 2000.
● Finance Minister is the ex-officio Governor on the
Board of Governors of the IMF.
● RBI Governor is the Alternate Governor at the IMF.
● India’s current quota in the IMF is 13,114 million SDR
which is 2.75% of total SDR holdings. India is the 8th
largest quota holding country at the IMF and holds

2.63% of total voting power in IMF. o China’s quota is
6.4% and that of the US is 17.43%.
2 The World Bank Group (WBG) is a family of 5 international

The World Bank organizations that make leveraged loans to developing
Group (WBG) countries. The organizations are
● International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD),
● International Development Association (IDA),
● International Finance Corporation (IFC),
● Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and
● International Centre for Settlement of Investment
Disputes (ICSID).
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They have their own country membership, governing boards,
and articles of agreement but work as one. Each member
country in the organization gets voting power according to
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the shares held in the organization’s capital.
● IBRD and IDA are collectively known as the World Bank

World Bank that provides loans to countries for capital programs.
● They were created at the 1944 Bretton Woods
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Conference, along with the International Monetary
Fund (IMF).
● It is like a cooperative, made up of 189 member
countries or shareholders, represented by a Board of
Governors (BOG), who are the ultimate policymakers at
the World Bank.
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The aim of World Bank is to

1. End extreme poverty by reducing share of global
population that lives in extreme poverty to 3% by 2030,
2. Promote shared prosperity by increasing the incomes
of the poorest 40% of people in every country
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3. Provide sustainable development.

4. Clean Air Initiative (CAI) - It is a World Bank initiative
to advance innovative ways to improve air quality in
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cities through partnerships in selected regions of the

world by sharing knowledge and experiences.
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● Reports – Ease of Doing Business, Global Economic

Prospects, Global Financial Development Report,
International Debt Statistics, World Development
Report, World Development Indicators, Logistic
Performance Index, Poverty and Shared Prosperity
3 ● It is a multilateral development bank jointly founded

New by the BRICS countries.
Development ● Aim - To finance infrastructure and sustainable
Bank development in emerging markets and developing
countries.
● It supports sovereign and non-sovereign projects
through loans, guarantees, equity participation and

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other financial instruments It has an initial authorized
capital of 100 billion dollars, and an initial subscribed
capital of 50 billion dollars.
● The initial subscribed capital shall be equally
distributed amongst the founding members (BRICS
countries).
● The voting power that was based on the subscribed
shares is equally shared among the members.
● All members of UN could be members of the NDB
● However, the share of the BRICS nations can never be
less than 55% of voting power.
● Founding Member Countries - Brazil, Russia, India,
China and South-Africa.
C
● The NDB admitted Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates
(UAE), Uruguay and Egypt (2023) as other members
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4 ● It was conceived as a financial institution that would be
Asian Asian in character and foster economic growth and
Development cooperation in one of the poorest regions in the world.
Bank ● ADB now has 68 members of which 49 from within Asia
and Pacific while remaining 19 from outside. o Niue, an
TS
island country in the South Pacific Ocean, is the 68th
member (2019).
● The bank admits member countries from Asian region
and non-regional developed countries.
● Some of the non-regional member countries are
Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, United States,
ET
United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany etc.

● ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing
loans, technical assistance, grants, and equity
investments to promote social and economic
G
development.
● NDB Founded in 2014 Headquarters Shanghai, China
India’s membership India is a member ADB Founded in
R
1966 Headquarters Manila, Philippines India’s

membership India is a founding member
● It prepared a new long-term strategy ‘Strategy 2030’
TA
to respond to the changes brought about by a rapidly

evolving Asia and the Pacific.
● India & ADB - India is a founding member and the 4th
largest shareholder.
● ADB is developing New Delhi as a regional hub for its op
5 ● It is a multilateral financial institution which brings

Asian countries together to address the daunting
Infrastructure infrastructure needs across Asia.
Investment Bank ● The membership is open to members of the
International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development or the Asian Development Bank.

99
● At present, it has 109 Members.
● It has authorized capital of US 100 billion dollars and
subscribed capital of USD 50 billion. o China is the
largest shareholder in AIIB followed by India and
Russia Japan and the US are not its members.
● Recent Developments -AIIB has approved a $750
million loan to India to strengthen the country’s battle
against the adverse impact of Covid-19 pandemic on
poor and vulnerable households.
● The loan is co-financed by the AIIB and the Asian
Development Bank.
● In 2018, AIIB was granted Permanent Observer status in
the deliberations of UNGA and the ECOSOC.
C
6 ● The EBRD is a financial institution developed to help
Eastern European and ex-Soviet countries develop free
PS
European Bank
for market economies after the fall of communism.
Reconstruction & ● The EBRD is owned by 72 countries from 5 continents
Development (North America, Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia), as
well as the European Union and the European
Investment Bank.
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● These shareholders have each made a capital
contribution, which forms the core funding. The US is
the biggest shareholder.
● India & EBRD - In 2018, India has become the 69th
shareholder of the EBRD.
● India takes a shareholding in the EBRD but it will not be
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a recipient of EBRD financing.

● The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the European
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has
signed a pact for cooperation on energy projects.
G
7 ● It is a bank for central banks. HQ - Basel, Switzerland

Bank for ● Aim - To serve central banks in their pursuit of
monetary and financial stability, to foster international
R
International
Settlements cooperation in those areas and to act as a bank for
central banks.
TA
● 63 central banks and monetary authorities are

currently members of the BIS including Reserve Bank
of India.
● It is known for its famous Basel norms
● Founded in 1930
● Headquarters Basel, Switzerland
● India’s membership RBI is a member
International-Judicial Organs
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT:

100
● What is the ICC:
○ The International Criminal Court (ICC) is
an intergovernmental organization and
the first permanent international
tribunal.
○ Established in 2002 by the Rome Statute,
it's headquartered in The Hague,
Netherlands.
● Core Function: Investigates and prosecutes
individuals for the most serious international
C
crimes: Genocide, Crimes against humanity, War crimes, Crime of aggression
(activated in 2017).
● Goal: To end impunity for perpetrators of these grave crimes and ensure
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accountability. Serves as a deterrent to future atrocities by upholding justice.
● Jurisdiction: The ICC can only intervene when:
○ A member state refers a situation to the Court.
○ The UN Security Council refers to a situation.
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○ A national court is unwilling or unable to investigate or prosecute.
● Complementary Jurisdiction:
● The ICC is not a replacement for national courts.
● It works alongside national judicial systems.
● Key Points:
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○ Governed by the Rome Statute, with over 120 member states (India is not a
member).
○ Has two working languages (English and French) and six official
languages.
○ Over 900 staff members from around 100 countries.
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○ As of November 2023, the ICC has handled 28 cases.

R
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) :

TA
● The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a vital institution within the United
Nations system, often referred to as the World Court. Here's a breakdown of its
key aspects:
● Establishment and Location:
● Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, succeeding the Permanent Court of
International Justice (1922).
● Located in the Peace Palace, The Hague, Netherlands (the only principal UN
organ outside New York).
● Membership and Jurisdiction:

○ All 193 UN member states are automatically parties to the ICJ.

101
○ Non-UN members can become parties under Article 93 of the Court's
statute.
○ The ICJ primarily settles legal disputes between states submitted according
to international law.
● Composition and Functions: Composed of 15 judges elected by the UN General
Assembly and Security Council.
● Has two main functions:
○ Settling legal disputes between states brought before it.
○ Issuing advisory opinions on legal matters referred by UN organs or
specialized agencies.
● Enforcement and Languages:
C
● The UN Security Council can enforce ICJ judgments, but permanent
members hold veto power.
● English and French are the official languages of the ICJ.
PS
● Significance:
○ The ICJ plays a crucial role in peaceful settlement of international disputes.
○ Its advisory opinions offer valuable legal guidance on international
matters.
TS
○ Despite limitations in enforcement, the ICJ upholds the rule of law in the
international arena.
PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION:

ET
● The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA):

○ The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) is the oldest international
dispute-resolution institution in the world, established in 1899 by the first
International Peace Conference held at the Hague, the Netherlands. It's an
G
intergovernmental organization, offering a variety of conflict resolution

services to the international community.
● Dispute Resolution Services: The PCA provides a neutral platform for resolving
R
disputes between: States, International Organizations, Private Parties (depending

on the agreement)
TA
● Parties involved in a conflict can choose from binding and non-binding

methods:
● Binding: Arbitration - tribunal issues a final and binding decision.
● Non-Binding: Mediation and Conciliation - parties reach a mutually
agreeable solution with the help of a neutral third party.
● Six Key Services Offered: The PCA offers a variety of services to facilitate dispute
resolution:
1. Arbitration: Most popular service, where a tribunal delivers a binding
verdict.
2. Mediation/Conciliation: A neutral third party assists parties in reaching a
solution.

102
3. Guest Tribunals: PCA can appoint tribunals for disputes under specific
treaties.
4. Appointing Authorities: PCA can appoint arbitrators for disputes outside
its own framework.
5. Fact-finding/Commissions of Inquiry: PCA can establish commissions to
investigate factual aspects of a dispute.
6. Hearing Facilities: PCA provides conference facilities for dispute resolution
proceedings.
● Structure and Functioning:
○ No Permanent Judges: Unlike a traditional court, the PCA has no
permanent judges. Parties involved in a dispute choose arbitrators from a
C
pool of independent experts.
○ Confidentiality: PCA proceedings are confidential, ensuring privacy for the
parties involved.
PS
● Membership: The PCA is composed of three main parts:
○ Administrative Council: Oversees policies and budgets.
○ Members of the Court: A panel of independent potential arbitrators
nominated by member states. (India is a member)
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○ International Bureau: The Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General,
manages the PCA's daily operations.
● India's Role: India is a member of the PCA and ratified the 1899 treaty
establishing the organization in 1950. This allows India to utilize the PCA's
dispute resolution services for international conflicts.
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IMPORTANT AGREEMENTS ON Maritime
UNCLOS:
G
About UNCLOS:
R
● International Treaty:
● Adopted and signed in 1982, UNCLOS is the primary international legal
framework for all marine and maritime activities.
TA
● Supersedes Past Agreements: It replaced four 1958 Geneva Conventions on

territorial seas, continental shelves, high seas, and fishing.
● New Institutions: UNCLOS established three new international bodies:
○ International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea
○ International Seabed Authority
○ Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf
Additional Notes:
● The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) collaborates with
partners to develop an implementing agreement for UNCLOS (UNCLOS IA) to
address governance gaps.

103
Overall, India's strong commitment to UNCLOS underscores its role as a responsible
maritime power and its dedication to maintaining a stable and secure Indian Ocean
Region.
ITLOS
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS):
● Independent judicial body established to adjudicate disputes arising from the

interpretation and application of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS).
C
Establishment and Composition:
PS
● Established by UNCLOS in 1982,
came into force in 1994.
● Composed of 21 independent
members elected from individuals
renowned for fairness, integrity,
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and expertise in the field of
maritime law.
Membership and Jurisdiction:

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● Open to States Parties to the UNCLOS, as well as non-party states,

intergovernmental organizations, state enterprises, and private entities.
● Adjudicates disputes related to the interpretation and application of UNCLOS
provisions.
G
Dr. Neeru Chadha's Appointment:
● Dr. Neeru Chadha made history by becoming the first Indian woman to be elected
R
as a judge at ITLOS.
● She served a nine-year term from 2017 to 2026, contributing to the Tribunal's
TA
work on maritime legal matters.
The Neptune Declaration
● Introduction: The Neptune Declaration on Seafarer Wellbeing and Crew Change

was unveiled at the Davos summit 2021.
● Aim: It aims to promote and protect the welfare of seafarers.
● Background: It was launched in response to the crew change crisis raised from
coronavirus-related travel bans.
● Significance: Signed by more than 850 organizations, it outlines the main actions
that are required to be taken in order to resolve the crew change crisis.

104
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
● Founded: 1982
● Headquarters: Hamburg, Germany
● India is a member
● Purpose: Established under the International
Convention for the Regulation of Whaling to
conserve whale stocks and regulate the whaling
industry.
Moratorium: Implemented a worldwide
C
●
moratorium on whale hunting in 1986 due to
declining whale populations.
PS
● Measures: Utilizes a legally binding Schedule to set specific measures, including
catch limits, whale sanctuaries, and hunting restrictions.
● Enforcement: Lacks enforcement power for its decisions.
● Types of Whaling: Recognizes three types of whaling: commercial, aboriginal
TS
subsistence, and special permit (scientific) whaling.
● Aboriginal Subsistence Hunting: Permitted in certain countries for cultural and
subsistence reasons.
● Commercial Whaling: Iceland and Norway are the only countries besides Japan
that engage in commercial whaling.
Scientific Research Whaling: Japan conducted "scientific research" whaling
ET
●
despite the moratorium, leading to international controversy.
● Japan's Withdrawal: Japan's attempts to resume commercial whaling were
rejected by the IWC, leading to Japan's withdrawal from the organization.
● Conservation Efforts: Include the creation of the Southern Ocean Whale
G
Sanctuary in 1994.
● Florianopolis Declaration: The 2018 IWC meeting in Brazil adopted the
R
Florianopolis Declaration, advocating against commercial whaling and aiming for

the recovery of whale populations to pre-industrial levels.
TA
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
● Establishment: Established on 7 March 1997.

● Objective: Aims to strengthen regional
cooperation and sustainable development
within the Indian Ocean Region.
● Apex Body: Council of (Foreign) Ministers
(COM), which meets annually.
● Membership: 23 Member States and 11 Dialogue Partners; Latest member: France.

105
● Non-members: Pakistan, Myanmar.
● Dialogue Partners: Italy, Japan, Germany, China, USA, UK, Russia, Turkey, Korea,
Egypt, Saudi Arabia (admitted in 2023).
● Chair: Elected by the Council of Ministers for a two-year term, either on a
voluntary basis or based on geographical consideration.
● Chairs History: People's Republic of Bangladesh chaired COM from 2021 to 2023,
while India held it during 2011-2013.
● Troika: Consists of Chair (Sri Lanka), Vice Chair (India), and Previous Chair
(Bangladesh).
● Hierarchical Structure:
○ Council of Foreign Ministers (COM): Meets annually.
C
○ Committee of Senior Officials (CSO): Meets twice a year.
● Indian Ocean Dialogue (IOD):
○ Flagship initiative originated in the 13th Council of Ministers meeting in
PS
2013, Perth, Australia.
○ 1st IOD held in Kerala in 2014.
○ India hosted the 8th Edition of IOD virtually in 2021.
TS
Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System for Africa and Asia (RIMES)
● Establishment: Established in 2009 after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

● Nature: Intergovernmental institution registered with the UN.
● Purpose: Generation and application of early warning information for hazards.
Membership: Works with 22 member states and 26 collaborating countries.
ET
●
○ India is a member state.
● Operational Base: Operates from its regional early warning center in
Pathumthani, Thailand.
G
Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
Nature: Voluntary initiative aimed at increasing maritime cooperation among

R
●
navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
● Membership:
TA
○ Includes 25 nations with territory within the Indian Ocean, including India.
○ 8 observer nations: China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Madagascar,
Netherlands, Russia, and Spain.
● Chairmanship: Rotates every 2 years. Thailand held the chairmanship in 2023.
● Events: Maiden edition of IONS Maritime Exercise 2022 (IMEX-22) conducted at
Goa.
Indian Ocean Commission

106
● Nature: Intergovernmental organization linking African Indian Ocean nations:
Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion (an overseas region of France), and
Seychelles.
● Observers: 6 observers: China, India, Japan, Sovereign Order of Malta, the
European Union, and the Organization Internationale de la Francophonie.
● Establishment: Created in 1982 in Port-Louis, Mauritius.
Seabed 2030
● Launch: Launched at the United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference in 2017.

● Collaborators: A collaborative project between the Nippon Foundation of Japan
and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO).
C
● Objective: Aims to bring together all available bathymetric data (depth and shape
of the ocean floor) to create a map of the world ocean floor by 2030.
PS
○ Aims to make the map available to all stakeholders.
● Structure: Comprises a global center and 4 regional centers.
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

TS
● Establishment: Established by a resolution adopted by the General Conference of
UNESCO.
● Purpose: Assists governments in addressing their individual and collective ocean
and coastal management needs.
● Initiatives: Fosters the establishment of regional intergovernmental coordinating
ET
tsunami warning and mitigation systems:

■ In the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
■ In the North East Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean seas.
G
Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC)
● Nature: Intergovernmental organization managing tuna and tuna-like species in

R
the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas.

● Establishment: Agreement adopted in 1993, entered into force in 1996.
TA
● Framework: Created within the framework of the UN Food and Agricultural

Organization’s (FAO) Constitution.
● Headquarters: Victoria, Seychelles.
● Membership: 30 member countries, including India.
○ Open to Indian Ocean coastal countries, members of the UN and UN special
organizations, and those fishing for tuna in the Indian Ocean.
● Functions:
○ Four key functions drawn from the United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS):
1. Reviewing trends of tuna and tuna-like fish stocks.
2. Encouraging and coordinating research and development activities.

107
3. Implementing conservation and management measures.
4. Reviewing economic and social aspects of fisheries.
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
● Nature: Intergovernmental body organizing, regulating, and controlling all

mineral-related activities in the international seabed area beyond the limits of
national jurisdiction.
● Establishment: Established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 UN
Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Membership:
C
●
○ 168 Members, including 167 Member States
and the European Union.
PS
● Observer Status: Obtained observer status in the
United Nations.
● International Seabed Area:
○ Defined by UNCLOS as "the seabed and
TS
ocean floor and the subsoil thereof, beyond
the limits of national jurisdiction."
● Role: Organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS organize and control
all mineral-resources-related activities in the seabed area for the benefit of
humankind.
India & ISA:
ET
●
○ ISA entered into an exploration contract with the Government of India for
the exploration of polymetallic nodules in the Indian Ocean.
○ India is implementing a program called Deep Ocean Mission, focusing on
the exploration of polymetallic nodules through the Ministry of Earth
G
Sciences.
R
TSPSC GROUP-1, GROUP-2 AND GROUP-3

TA
THEME: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND EVENTS
Which of the following pairs are matched correctly? (TSPSC GROUP-1 PYQ 2023)
A. ASEAN Secretariat : Bangkok, Thailand

B. SAARC Secretariat : Kathmandu, Nepal
C. European Union (EU) : Brussels, Belgium
D. African Union (AU) : Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Choose the correct answer:

(1) A and B only

108
(2) A, B and C only
(3) A, B, C and D
(4) B, C and D only
S.No Organization/G Declaration Year Secretariat

roup
1 WTO Marrakesh 15 April 1994 Geneva,Switzerland

Agreement
2 ASEAN Bangkok 8 August 1967 Indonesia, Jakarta.
C
Declaration
3 (BIMSTEC) 'Bangkok 6 June 1997 Dhaka, Bangladesh
PS
Declaration'.
4 European Union Maastricht 1 Nov, 1993 Brussels, Belgium.

Treaty
5 African Union Sirte 9 Sep, 1999 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

TS
Declaration
6 BRICS September 2006 Shanghai, China
7 SAARC SAARC 8 December 1985. Kathmandu, Nepal.

CHARTER IN
ET
DHAKA
8 G-20 1. Started in No Permanent

1999 Secretariat
2. The G20
G
was
upgraded to
the level of
R
Heads of
State/Gover
nment in
TA
the wake of
the global
economic
and
financial
crisis of
2007.
3. In 2009,it
was
designated
the premier
forum for

109
internation
al economic
cooperation
9 IBSA Brasilia 6th June 2003 No secretariat

Declaration.
10 SHANGHAI SCO Charter was Beijing, China

COOPERATION signed in 2002
ORGANISATION and entered into
force in 2003.
C
RECENT IMPORTANT SUMMITS , PLACE AND THEMES
PS
S.No. SUMMIT PLACE THEME
1 15th BRICS Johannesburg, "BRICS and Africa: Partnership for

Summit 22-24 South Africa Mutually Accelerated Growth,
August 2023. Sustainable Development and
TS
Inclusive Multilateralism".
2 Jakarta on 7 ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of

1. 20th September 2023. Growth,
ASEAN-I
ndia
ET
Summit
2. 18th East
Asia
Summit
G
3 SCO 4 July 2023, ‘Towards a SECURE SCO’

R
4 SAARC
BIMSTEC 5th BIMSTEC The Summit’s theme "Towards a

TA
Summit Resilient Region, Prosperous

Sri Lanka Economies, Healthy People”
5 G-20 New Delhi, India ● The G20 Logo drew inspiration

from the vibrant colours of
India’s national flag – saffron,
white and green, and blue.
● It juxtaposes planet Earth
with the lotus, India’s national
flower that reflects growth
amid challenges. The Earth
reflects India’s pro-planet

110
approach to life, one in perfect
harmony with nature.
● Below the G20 logo is
“Bharat”, written in the
Devanagari script.
● The theme of India’s G20
Presidency - “Vasudhaiva
Kutumbakam” or “One Earth ·
One Family · One Future” -
was drawn from the ancient
Sanskrit text of the Maha
Upanishad.
● Next G-20 summit: Rio de
C
Janeiro, Brazil
PS
6 G-7 Hiroshima, Japan ● The summit also released the
G7 Leaders’ Hiroshima Vision
on Nuclear Disarmament.
● It reaffirmed the shared

TS
commitment to the G7
Partnership for Global
Infrastructure and Investment
(PGII) and to working together
and aiming to mobilize up to
$600 billion by 2027 for
ET
infrastructure funding.
📱 Follow Us Online:
G
🌐 Telegram link: https://t.me/target_tspsc1

R
🌐 YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/@Target_TSPSC

🌐 App in Playstore: Target TSPSC - Apps on Google Play
TA
📞 Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh

Thank You

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TARGET TSPSC

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND EVENTS

Features of this e-Book

1. Targeted Preparation: Aligned with the latest syllabus(UPSC, TSPSC, APPSC).

● Invaluable Analysis: Gain a deeper understanding through the exploration of past

THANKS AND REGARDS

Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 1

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OTHER UNITED NATIONS INITIATIVES

UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL)...................................................36

Global Compact for Migration................................................................................................ 37

Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development.......................................................... 37

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G20 Tackles Food Security Challenges.................................................................................57

Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 4

ENVIRONMENT RELATED CONVENTIONS

Minamata Convention on Mercury......................................................................................... 79

OTHER IMPORTANT CONVENTIONS

Ashgabat Agreement (2016)................................................................................................... 81

Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 5

Asia Pacific Trade Agreement................................................................................................ 92

European Free Trade Association..........................................................................................94

International Monetary Fund.................................................................................................. 94

New Development Bank.......................................................................................................... 96

Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 6

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A. FAO I. New York

B. UNIDO II. Geneva

C. ILO III. Rome

D. UNESCO IV. Paris

UNITED NATIONS and Its Main Organs

Secretary-General Years Served Country

Trygve Lie 1946–1952 Norway

Dag Hammarskjöld 1953–1961 Sweden

U Thant 1961–1971 Myanmar (Burma)

Kurt Waldheim 1972–1981 Austria

Javier Pérez de Cuéllar 1982–1991 Peru

Boutros Boutros-Ghali 1992–1996 Egypt

Kofi Annan 1997–2006 Ghana

Ban Ki-moon 2007–2016 South Korea

António Guterres 2017–present Portugal

Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 8

Guiding Principles (Founding Charter Preamble)

Main Organs (Established in 1945)

● UN Secretariat: Provides administrative support and carries out programs.

Target TSPSC |Contact Us on Telegram: @Younus, @Harshith,@Venkatesh | Join : @target_tspsc1 9

Structure and Challenges:

over the agenda to the ten elected non-permanent members.

financial or troop support for peacekeeping missions, or leadership in regional

The Security Council consists of 15 members:

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○ Recommend the appointment of the UN Secretary-General.

Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental

It has 54 members, elected by the UN General Assembly for overlapping three-year

It coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, ten functional

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Few Important Bodies under the Purview of ECOSOC:

International Labour Organization( ILO), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO),