#21

Who is the Secretary-General of SAARC as of 2024?

(a) Esala Weerakoon

(b) Amjad Hussain B. Sial

(c) Golam Sarwar

(d) Arjun Bahadur Thapa

Explanation: Md. Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh is the current Secretary-General of SAARC (assumed office in late 2023).

#22

Which country is the current Chair of SAARC (as of late 2024)?

(a) Pakistan

(b) India

(c) Nepal

(d) Sri Lanka

Explanation: Nepal hosted the last held summit (18th Summit) in 2014 and continues to hold the Chairmanship due to the cancellation of the 19th Summit.

#23

What was the ADB’s total financial commitment in 2024?

(a) $10 billion

(b) $24.3 billion

(c) $30 billion

(d) $48 billion

Explanation: In 2024, ADB committed $24.3 billion from its own resources, plus $14.9 billion in cofinancing, for development projects.

#24

Which sector received the largest share of ADB contracts in 2024?

(a) Education

(b) Energy

(c) Works (infrastructure)

(d) Health

Explanation: In 2024, contracts for works (infrastructure) represented the largest share of ADB’s 7,556 contracts due to high infrastructure costs.

#25

Which ADB initiative was launched in 2024 to address glacial melt in Central Asia?

(a) Glaciers to Farms

(b) Climate Resilience Fund

(c) Water Security Program

(d) Green Asia Initiative

Explanation: The Glaciers to Farms program, launched in 2024 with the Green Climate Fund, promotes sustainable water use and food security in Central Asia.

#26

Which city hosted the 2024 BRICS Summit?

(a) Johannesburg

(b) Kazan

(c) New Delhi

(d) Rio de Janeiro

Explanation: The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22–24, 2024, focusing on security and economic cooperation.

#27

What is the informal name for the expanded BRICS group since 2024?

(a) BRICS+

(b) BRICS Global

(c) BRICS Alliance

(d) BRICS Union

Explanation: The term 'BRICS+' is used informally to reflect the group’s expansion since 2024, including new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Indonesia.

#28

What percentage of global GDP does BRICS+ account for as of 2024?

(a) 25%

(b) 37.3%

(c) 45%

(d) 50%

Explanation: BRICS+, with its expanded membership, accounts for approximately 37.3% of global GDP (PPP), surpassing the G7’s share.

#29

What is a key criticism of BRICS’ expansion in 2024?

(a) Too few members

(b) Increased internal conflicts

(c) Lack of economic focus

(d) Western dominance

Explanation: The 2024 expansion introduced potential conflicts (e.g., Iran/Saudi Arabia, Egypt/Ethiopia), complicating consensus.

#30

Which country blocked Venezuela’s BRICS membership in 2024?

(a) China

(b) Brazil

(c) India

(d) Russia

Explanation: Brazil blocked Venezuela’s application in 2024 due to concerns over the disputed Venezuelan elections and ongoing diplomatic tensions.

#31

Which countries were invited as partner states at the 2024 Kazan Summit?

(a) Algeria, Belarus, Cuba, others

(b) Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey

(c) Mexico, Nigeria, Vietnam

(d) India, China, Russia

Explanation: At the 2024 Kazan Summit, 13 countries, including Algeria, Belarus, and Cuba, were invited as partner states.

#32

Which country withdrew from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly in 2024?

(a) Ukraine

(b) Moldova

(c) Azerbaijan

(d) Belarus

Explanation: Moldova withdrew from the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly in 2024 and has been gradually suspending its participation in various CIS agreements due to shifting political priorities toward the EU.

#33

Who was elected as the Commonwealth Secretary-General at the 2024 Samoa CHOGM?

Explanation: Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana was elected to succeed Patricia Scotland, continuing the tradition of rotating regional representation.

#34

The 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in which Pacific island nation?

Explanation: Samoa hosted the 2024 meeting, marking the first time a Pacific Small Island Developing State hosted the summit.

#35

What contentious issue regarding historical injustice was debated at the 2024 CHOGM?

Explanation: Leaders debated the issue of reparations for the slave trade, with the final communiqué noting that the time had come for a conversation on the matter.

#36

What is the name of the EU’s strategic agenda priority for 2024–2029 focused on economic growth?

Explanation: The 'Prosperous and Competitive Europe' priority focuses on strengthening the single market, supporting innovation, and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

#37

Which initiative was launched in 2024 to support the careers of researchers in Europe?

Explanation: The 'Choose Europe for Science' pilot, launched in 2024, aims to attract and retain top global research talent by supporting career development.

#38

Which landmark EU regulation governing artificial intelligence was finalized in 2024?

Explanation: The EU AI Act is the world's first comprehensive AI law, categorizing AI systems by risk and setting strict rules for high-risk applications.

#39

Who was elected President of the European Council in 2024 to serve a term starting in late 2024?

Explanation: Antonio Costa, the former Prime Minister of Portugal, was elected by EU leaders in June 2024 to serve as the President of the European Council.

#40

Who was selected as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in 2024?

Explanation: Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia, was selected by the European Council in June 2024 to become the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

April 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions