International Organizations

1990s
The idea of global security emerged in the 1990s in response to the global nature of threats such as global warming, international terrorism, and health epidemics like AIDS and bird flu and so on.

Least Developed Countries (LDC)
The Global South is a term generally used to identify countries and regions in the regions of Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Most of humanity resides in the Global South.

Trygve Lie
The first Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) was Trygve Lie from Norway. He served as the Secretary-General from 1946 to 1952. Trygve Lie played a crucial role in the early years of the UN, working towards the establishment of the organization and its various bodies and initiatives. He worked to strengthen the UN's role in maintaining international peace and security and promoting cooperation among member states. His tenure saw significant developments, including the creation of the UN's first peacekeeping mission during the Arab-Israeli conflict in 1948.

2006
SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Agreement) came into effect on January 1, 2006. SAFTA is a trade agreement among the member countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), which aims to promote trade liberalization and economic cooperation in the South Asian region. The agreement aims to reduce tariffs and barriers to trade among the member countries to boost intra-regional trade and economic integration.

Ten (ten Member States)
As of September 2021, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) consists of 10 member countries.
These countries are:
1. Brunei
2. Cambodia
3. Indonesia
4. Laos
5. Malaysia
6. Myanmar (Burma)
7. Philippines
8. Singapore
9. Thailand
10. Vietnam

India and Pakistan
The Tashkent Agreement was signed between India and Pakistan. It was a peace agreement signed on January 10, 1966, in Tashkent (now in Uzbekistan) under the mediation of the Soviet Union. The agreement was signed by Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and Pakistani President Ayub Khan. The Tashkent Agreement aimed to bring an end to the armed conflict between India and Pakistan that occurred during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. The agreement called for a ceasefire, withdrawal of forces to pre-war positions, and the release of prisoners of war. It also emphasized the need for peaceful relations and the resolution of disputes through negotiations. Unfortunately, soon after signing the agreement, Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away, leading to a period of uncertainty in India-Pakistan relations.

Hyderabad
Operation Polo, also known as the Police Action, was enacted in the state of Hyderabad, India. It took place in September 1948. The operation was conducted by the Indian Armed Forces, under the orders of the Government of India, to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad into the newly formed Union of India. The operation involved military action against the Nizam of Hyderabad and the annexation of the state. It resulted in the end of the princely rule in Hyderabad and the integration of the region into the Indian Union as the state of Hyderabad.

11 December 1997

The first elected president of Russia was Boris Yeltsin. He served as the President of Russia from 1991 to 1999.

The founding members who signed NATO were Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United State

Vallabhbhai Patel was the first Home Minister of India

The European Union (EU) was formed on November 1, 1993.

NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) was established on April 4, 1949.

Under SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation), the country that was liberalized was India.

To identify which country joined both the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) and the Central Treaty Organization (CENTO) in 1954-55, we begin by understanding these alliances:

• SEATO was created in 1954 as a defensive alliance to contain communism in Southeast Asia.
• CENTO, initially the Baghdad Pact in 1955, was aimed at countering Soviet influence in the Middle East.

In the context of these historical events and alliances, the country that joined both SEATO and CENTO during this period was Pakistan. This strategic participation was part of Pakistan's foreign policy to align with Western powers post-independence.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Pakistan

The World Trade Organization (WTO) serves as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The GATT was created in 1947 as part of the post-World War II efforts to promote economic recovery and international trade. It was meant to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers.

In 1995, the WTO was established to replace GATT and to provide a more comprehensive framework for international trade regulations. The transition from GATT to WTO marked an expansion of scope to include not just goods trade but also trade in services and intellectual property. This change was crucial in adapting to the evolving global economy and increasing trade complexities.

Therefore, the correct answer is: General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs.

The Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) was established in 1948. The primary purpose of the OEEC was to help administer the Marshall Plan, which facilitated the recovery of European economies after World War II. The idea was to promote economic cooperation and integration among European countries to ensure collective economic recovery and development.

Initially, this organization played a crucial role in promoting trade liberalization and economic cooperation in Europe. Its success laid down the groundwork for further regional cooperation, leading to the formation of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1961.

The first Secretary General of the United Nations Organization was Trygve Lie.

Explanation:

1. The United Nations Organization (UNO) was established in 1945 following World War II to promote international cooperation and peace.
2. The role of the Secretary General is to act as the chief administrative officer of the organization and to represent the UN on various global issues.
3. The first person to hold this position was Trygve Lie, who served from 1946 to 1952. He was a Norwegian politician and played a significant role in the founding stages of the organization.

Statement I discusses the evolution of the European Union (EU) from a purely economic entity to one with political characteristics. The EU has indeed undertaken steps toward forming a cohesive political identity, marked by the establishment of symbols akin to those of a nation-state, such as a flag, anthem, and shared currency (the Euro). These developments indicate that Statement I is correct.

Statement II highlights the EU's influence across various domains including economic, political, diplomatic, and military aspects. The EU's strength as an economic powerhouse is evidenced by its significant GDP, noted as over $17 trillion in 2016, making it the world’s second-largest economy. The EU also exerts political and diplomatic influence globally and maintains military capabilities through its member states' cooperation. This confirms that Statement II is correct.

Thus, based on the evaluation of both statements, the correct answer is that both Statement I and Statement II are correct.

The full form of START is Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.

Additional Context:

• START refers to bilateral arms control agreements between the United States and Soviet Union/Russia
• START I (1991) was the first treaty to actually reduce nuclear arsenals (not just limit growth)
• New START (2010) is currently the only active nuclear arms control treaty between US and Russia
• These treaties include verification measures like on-site inspections
• Different from earlier SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) agreements

Correct Answer: (1) Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

The organization that provides loans and grants to member countries for human development (education and health), agriculture and rural development, infrastructure, and environment protection is the World Bank.

Additional Context:

• Officially known as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• Provides both investment loans and development policy financing
• Works closely with its affiliate, the International Development Association (IDA), which offers interest-free credits
• Focuses on poverty reduction and sustainable development
• Different from IMF which focuses on macroeconomic stability and balance of payments issues

Correct Answer: (2) World Bank

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was established in 1957.

Additional Context:

• Created as an autonomous intergovernmental organization under the UN umbrella
• Headquartered in Vienna, Austria
• Original mission was "Atoms for Peace" - promoting peaceful nuclear technology
• Now primarily known for nuclear safeguards and non-proliferation efforts
• Has 178 member states as of 2023
• Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005

Correct Answer: (4) 1957

The Yalta Conference, held in February 1945, was a meeting between the leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Soviet Union, often referred to as the 'Big Three'. These leaders were Franklin D. Roosevelt (United States), Winston Churchill (United Kingdom), and Joseph Stalin (Soviet Union). During this conference, they discussed the post-World War II reorganization of Europe and the establishment of the United Nations, among other issues.

The Yalta Conference was key in shaping the post-war world order, and the establishment of the United Nations was one of its major outcomes.