Medium Level – GK Questions

The World Heritage Convention (1972) establishes a framework for identifying, protecting, and preserving cultural and natural heritage of outstanding universal value. Sites inscribed on the World Heritage List receive international recognition and protection support.

MFN is a cornerstone of WTO rules (Article I of GATT). It means that any advantage, favor, privilege, or immunity granted by a member to any product originating in or destined for any other country must be extended immediately and unconditionally to like products from all WTO members.

The International Development Association (IDA), part of the World Bank Group, provides concessional financing (interest-free credits and grants) to 75 of the world's poorest countries to support programs that boost economic growth and reduce poverty.

The SDR basket comprises the US dollar, euro, Chinese renminbi, Japanese yen, and British pound sterling. The basket is reviewed every five years by the IMF Executive Board to ensure it reflects the relative importance of currencies in global trade and finance.

ICAO Annex 13 establishes international standards and recommended practices for the notification, investigation, and reporting of aircraft accidents and incidents to improve aviation safety through lessons learned.

The Berne Convention's 'national treatment' principle ensures that works originating in one member country must be given the same protection in each of the other member countries as they grant to works of their own nationals.

The ITU Radio Regulations are an international treaty that regulates the use of radio-frequency spectrum and geostationary satellite orbits to prevent harmful interference between radio services of different countries, ensuring efficient global spectrum management.

MiGOF, developed by IOM, provides a structured approach for states to develop comprehensive migration policies that are orderly, safe, regular, and humane, ensuring migration benefits migrants and societies while upholding human rights.

UNIDO's mandate, aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), focuses on inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) to reduce poverty, create jobs, and promote environmental sustainability.

WOAH's Codes (Terrestrial and Aquatic) include science-based standards on animal disease prevention, veterinary product quality, animal welfare, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to protect animal and human health globally.

The Harmonized System (HS), developed and maintained by WCO, is a standardized numerical method for classifying traded products. Over 98% of world merchandise trade uses HS codes for customs procedures, tariffs, and trade data collection.

The seven Fundamental Principles are: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality. Neutrality means the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage in political controversies.

OECD, established in 1961 and headquartered in Paris, provides a unique forum for 38 member democracies to compare policy experiences, identify good practices, and coordinate domestic and international policies.

INTERPOL's core function is facilitating police cooperation through its global communications system (I-24/7) and issuing notices (Red for wanted persons, Yellow for missing, etc.). It does not conduct investigations or make arrests itself.

WMO's World Weather Watch integrates observation systems, telecommunication networks, and data processing facilities across its 193 member states and territories to provide reliable weather, climate, and water information globally.

IRENA's core mandate is to promote the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, bioenergy, ocean) through policy advice, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

ISO standards development follows key principles: consensus among stakeholders, industry-wide relevance to ensure broad applicability, and transparency in procedures. This ensures standards meet global market needs.

IFAD exclusively focuses on eradicating rural poverty and hunger by financing agricultural development projects, empowering rural people, improving food security, and building resilience in developing countries.

While ICAO Annexes contain Standards (which members must comply with or notify differences) and Recommended Practices (which are desirable but not mandatory), implementation depends on national legislation. SARPs are not automatically legally binding without domestic adoption.

The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), administered by WIPO, allows inventors to seek patent protection simultaneously in a large number of countries by filing a single 'international' patent application.