#61

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.

#62

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.

#63

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.

#64

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.

#65

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.

#66

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.

#67

Who is the President of the Eurogroup who welcomed US-China tariff adjustments in May 2025?

Explanation: Paschal Donohoe, serving as President of the Eurogroup, welcomed the temporary rollback of tariffs as a positive step for trade stability.

#68

In May 2025, which country's officials reported that human traffickers were cutting deals with local employers?

Explanation: Cyprus's deputy migration minister, Nicholas Ioannides, reported that traffickers were collaborating with local employers to exploit Syrian migrants.

#69

Which EU leader publicly criticized Hungary's use of the veto power in May 2025?

Explanation: Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin criticized the Hungarian government for 'abusing' the veto power to block EU decision-making.

#70

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.

#71

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.

#72

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.

#73

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.

#74

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.

#75

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.

#76

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.

#77

Which IMO Convention establishes the maximum permissible draft (depth to which a ship may be loaded) for ships?

(a) STCW Convention

(b) SOLAS Convention

(c) LOAD LINES Convention

(d) Facilitation Convention

Explanation: The International Convention on Load Lines (1966) sets the limits to which a ship may be loaded, ensuring reserve buoyancy and stability.

#78

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).

#79

According to the UN Charter, only which entities may be parties in cases before the ICJ?

(a) Individuals, States, and International Organizations.

(b) Only States.

(c) Only UN specialized agencies.

(d) Only individuals whose human rights have been violated.

Explanation: Unlike some other international tribunals, the ICJ's contentious jurisdiction (disputes) is open only to States.

#80

When a State party to a contentious case does not have a Judge of its nationality on the bench, it may choose a person to sit as a Judge ad hoc. This function is primarily to:

(a) Act as an advocate for the State's legal position.

(b) Ensure that the Court fully considers the State's perspective and legal culture.

(c) Veto the final judgment if it is unfavorable.

(d) Manage the State's legal expenses.

Explanation: Judges *ad hoc* participate fully in the deliberation of the case but do not change the fact that the Court is composed of 15 permanent judges.

May 2024 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions