GK Questions

UNCLOS defines 'the Area' as the seabed, ocean floor, and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction. Resources in the Area are the common heritage of mankind, and ISA organizes and controls activities there for the benefit of all humanity.

Following the Rio+20 Conference, UNEP's governance was strengthened in 2012. The Governing Council (with 58 members) was replaced by the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) with universal membership of all 193 UN member states, giving it greater legitimacy and authority.

Permanent G20 guests include Spain, the African Union, and representatives from the UN, IMF, World Bank, and other international organizations. Vatican City is not a permanent guest, though it may be invited occasionally for specific discussions.

OPEC's statute explicitly states its mission to coordinate petroleum policies to ensure market stability, fair prices for producers, efficient supply for consumers, and fair returns for investors in the petroleum industry.

Article 5 is NATO's collective defense clause. It has been invoked only once: after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States, demonstrating Alliance solidarity and mutual defense commitment.

The European Parliament is the only directly elected EU institution, with 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) representing EU citizens. It shares legislative and budgetary powers with the Council of the EU.

The ASEAN Charter was signed in 2007 and entered into force on December 15, 2008. It transformed ASEAN into a rules-based organization with enhanced institutional capacity to achieve its goals of regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Agenda 2063, adopted in 2015, is Africa's blueprint for inclusive and sustainable development. It outlines seven aspirations and flagship projects to achieve a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa by 2063.

SCO RATS, established in 2004, is permanently based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It facilitates cooperation among member states in combating terrorism, separatism, and extremism through information sharing, joint exercises, and capacity building.

The New Development Bank (NDB), formerly BRICS Development Bank, was established in 2014 and is headquartered in Shanghai, China. It mobilizes resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies.

The ICC's jurisdiction is not retroactive. It can only exercise jurisdiction over crimes committed after the Rome Statute entered into force for that state (July 1, 2002, or later date of ratification/accession), unless the UN Security Council refers a situation.

The ICJ is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms by the UN General Assembly and Security Council. No two judges may be nationals of the same state, and the Court as a whole represents the main forms of civilization and principal legal systems.

The IHR (2005) provide a legal framework for global health security, requiring countries to build core capacities for surveillance and response, and to report public health events that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

UNICEF operates in more than 190 countries and territories, working with governments and partners to ensure every child has access to essential services, protection from violence and exploitation, and opportunities to reach their full potential.

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.

The UN Secretariat, headed by the Secretary-General, carries out the substantive and administrative work of the UN as directed by the other principal organs. It provides studies, information, and facilities needed by UN bodies.

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.

GIEWS, established by FAO in 1975, continuously monitors global food supply and demand, analyzes food security conditions, and issues early warnings of potential food crises to enable timely humanitarian response.