#41

Which two countries partially joined the Schengen Area (air and sea borders) in March 2024?

Explanation: Romania and Bulgaria partially joined the Schengen Area on March 31, 2024, lifting controls at air and sea borders while land border discussions continued.

#42

Which ECO member state had the largest nominal GDP as of 2024?

Explanation: Turkey possesses the largest economy within the bloc, followed by Iran and Pakistan.

#43

Who assumed the role of ECO Secretary-General in August 2024?

Explanation: Ambassador Asad Majeed Khan of Pakistan assumed the role of Secretary-General in August 2024, succeeding Khusraw Noziri.

#44

What is the name of the current Director-General of the WHO (as of late 2024)?

(a) Kofi Annan

(b) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus

(c) António Guterres

(d) Dr. Jim Yong Kim

Explanation: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is the current Director-General, the first African to hold the position.

#45

The current Director-General of the FAO (as of late 2024) is from which country?

(a) Brazil

(b) United States

(c) China

(d) India

Explanation: Qu Dongyu (from China) is the current Director-General, having been elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023.

#46

The current President of IFAD (as of late 2024) is from which continent?

(a) Asia

(b) Europe

(c) Africa

(d) North America

Explanation: Alvaro Lario (from Spain) is the current President of IFAD, elected in 2022. He is from Europe, but IFAD's leadership has historically come from diverse regions, including a past President from Asia (Kanayo F. Nwanze, from Nigeria - Africa).

#47

Which country joined NATO most recently (as of 2024)?

(a) Finland

(b) Croatia

(c) Montenegro

(d) Lithuania

Explanation: Finland joined NATO in 2023, becoming the alliance’s newest member.

#48

Which city hosted the G7 Summit in 2024?

(a) Hiroshima, Japan

(b) Apulia, Italy

(c) Charlevoix, Canada

(d) Cornwall, UK

Explanation: The 50th G7 Summit was held in Apulia, Italy, from June 13–15, 2024, hosted by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

#49

Which issue was a key focus at the 2024 G7 Summit in Apulia?

(a) Ukraine funding

(b) Cybersecurity

(c) Nuclear disarmament

(d) Food security

Explanation: The 2024 Apulia Summit agreed on a $50 billion fund for Ukraine using profits from frozen Russian assets.

#50

What was the G7’s response to Iran’s military actions in the Middle East in 2024?

(a) Military support to Iran

(b) Condemnation and calls for de-escalation

(c) Economic aid to Israel

(d) Neutral stance

Explanation: In October 2024, G7 leaders condemned Iran’s attack on Israel and urged de-escalation to prevent regional escalation.

#51

Which country held the G20 presidency in 2024?

(a) India

(b) Brazil

(c) South Africa

(d) United States

Explanation: Brazil held the G20 presidency from December 1, 2023, to November 30, 2024, hosting the Rio de Janeiro Summit.

#52

Which G20 initiative was launched in 2024 to combat hunger and poverty?

(a) Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

(b) Sustainable Development Fund

(c) Global Health Architecture

(d) Digital Transformation Pact

Explanation: Brazil launched the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty at the 2024 Rio de Janeiro Summit to mobilize efforts toward SDG goals by 2030.

#53

Which G20 presidency introduced the G20 Social initiative in 2024?

(a) India

(b) Brazil

(c) Indonesia

(d) South Africa

Explanation: Brazil launched the G20 Social in 2024 to include civil society in discussions and policy formulation for the first time.

#54

Which issue was a key focus at the 2024 Rio de Janeiro G20 Summit?

(a) Cryptocurrency regulation

(b) Social inclusion

(c) Nuclear disarmament

(d) Space exploration

Explanation: The 2024 Rio Summit, under Brazil’s presidency, prioritized social inclusion alongside global governance reform and energy transitions.

#55

Which country declined the invitation to join BRICS in 2024?

(a) Argentina

(b) Egypt

(c) Ethiopia

(d) Iran

Explanation: Argentina was invited to join BRICS effectively January 2024, but the newly elected administration under Javier Milei formally declined the invitation, stating a shift in foreign policy alignment.

#56

Which country held the BRICS presidency in 2024?

(a) Brazil

(b) India

(c) Russia

(d) China

Explanation: Russia held the BRICS presidency for the year 2024, hosting the annual summit in the city of Kazan.

#57

Which set of countries officially joined BRICS on January 1, 2024?

(a) Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE

(b) Nigeria, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkey

(c) Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Vietnam, Thailand

(d) Argentina, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Venezuela

Explanation: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) became full members on January 1, 2024, marking a significant expansion of the bloc into the Middle East and North Africa.

#58

Approximately what percentage of the world's population did the expanded BRICS (BRICS+) represent in 2024?

(a) 25%

(b) 35%

(c) 45%

(d) 55%

Explanation: With the inclusion of populous nations like Ethiopia and Egypt alongside China and India, the expanded BRICS bloc represents approximately 45% of the global population.

#59

Which pact was signed on 9th February, 1934?

(a) CENTO

(b) Balkan Pact

(c) SEATO

(d) NATO

Explanation: The Balkan Pact (or Balkan Entente) was signed on February 9, 1934, in Athens. It was a treaty between Greece, Turkey, Romania, and Yugoslavia designed to guarantee the signatories' existing borders and maintain the geopolitical status quo in the region against Bulgarian and Italian expansionism.

#60

What was the GCC’s economic growth forecast for 2024, per the World Bank?

(a) 1.0%

(b) 2.8%

(c) 3.6%

(d) 4.7%

Explanation: The World Bank’s Spring 2024 Gulf Economic Update forecasted 2.8% growth for the GCC in 2024, rising to 4.7% in 2025.

February 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions