World Organizations – GK Questions

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.

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.

ILO Convention No. 29 (1930) on Forced Labour, along with Convention No. 105 (1957) on Abolition of Forced Labour, are fundamental conventions requiring members to suppress the use of forced or compulsory labour in all its forms.

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.

Phytosanitary certificates, issued by NPPOs under IPPC framework, attest that consignments of plants or plant products have been inspected and are free from regulated pests, facilitating safe international trade while protecting plant health.

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.