Answer: C
Explanation:
● The Horn of Africa is a peninsula of East Africa that includes countries of Djibouti,
Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia. Sudan and Kenya are sometimes included as well. Hence
statement 1 is correct.

● It is one of the world's most conflict-prone and fragile regions.
● The region's countries are the countries of origin and host countries for a great number of
refugees and internally displaced persons.
● The Bab el Mandeb strait separates the Horn of Africa from the southern tip of the Arabian
Peninsula. Hence statement 2 is correct.

1. Which of the following countries are all part of The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for
Prosperity?

Answer: A
Explanation:
● The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) was launched in Tokyo
(Japan) by the US and other Indo-Pacific countries in 2022.
● IPEF aims to strengthen economic engagement and cooperation among partner
countries with the goal of advancing growth, economic stability and prosperity in the
region.
● The framework includes 14 countries — Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, the
Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand,
Vietnam, Fiji and the United States. Hence answer is option A.
● Together, the participants account for about 40 percent of global GDP and 30 percent of
trade.

2. Consider the following statements about The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
1) UNFCCC currently has near-universal membership.
2) UNFCCC endorses the concept of common and equal responsibility.
3) The Baku Workplan, an outcome of COP29, aims to elevate the voices of Multinational
Companies in climate action.

Answer: C
Explanation:
About UNFCCC
● The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signed in 1992 at
the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the
Rio Earth Summit), constitutes the foundational climate agreement that has provided
the platform for most subsequent international climate agreements.
● The UNFCCC entered into force in 1994. Today, it has near-universal membership. The
198 countries (including India) that have ratified the Convention are called Parties to the
Convention. Hence statement 1 is correct.

● The ultimate objective of the Convention is to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations at
a level that would prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system.
● The UNFCCC endorses the concept of common but differentiated responsibility (CBDR)
in the climate context. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
○ This means that while developing country parties are expected to contribute to
climate mitigation, because of superior capacity to undertake mitigation and greater
contribution to the problem of climate change as a result of historical emissions,
developed countries are expected to take the lead in combating climate
change and the adverse effects thereof.

Outcomes of COP 29
● New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG):
○ The NCQG is the amount that must be mobilised by developed countries every
year from 2025 onward to finance climate action in developing countries.
○ Developed countries have agreed to triple finance to developing countries, from
the previous goal of USD 100 billion annually, to USD 300 billion annually by
2035.
● Carbon Markets:
○ COP 29 agreed on the rules and methodologies for the international carbon
trading system envisioned by Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.
■ Article 6 sets out a system in which countries can trade emission reduction
credits between themselves so that an emission reduction in one country can
be counted against the emissions generated in another country.

● Baku Workplan:
○ The Baku Workplan adopted at COP29 aims to elevate the voices of Indigenous
Peoples and local communities in climate action. Hence statement 3 is
incorrect.

● COP29 Hydrogen Declaration:
● It endorsed the commitment to scale up renewable, clean/zero-emission and
low-carbon hydrogen production and accelerate the decarbonisation of existing
hydrogen production from unabated fossil fuels.

● COP 29 Declaration on reducing methane from organic wastes:
○ Around 30 countries, collectively responsible for nearly 50% of global methane
from organic waste emissions, endorsed the COP29 declaration on reducing
methane from organic waste.
○ It aims to set sectoral targets to reduce methane from organic waste.
■ India is not a signatory to the Declaration.

3. Consider the following statements about Antimicrobial resistance.
1) Antimicrobial Resistance can occur when microbes evolve to become resistant to the drugs
designed to kill them.
2) Misuse of antibiotics in animals can contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
3) To contain Antimicrobial resistance, patients must be advised to complete prescribed
antibiotic courses.

Answer: C
Explanation:
● Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) occurs when microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi,
and parasites, evolve to become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them, rendering
these medications ineffective. Hence statement 1 is correct.
Causes for AMR
● Irrational Use of Drugs: Overuse or misuse of antibiotics in humans, animals, and
agriculture. Over-the-counter availability of antibiotics without prescriptions helps this
overuse of antibiotics. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● Incomplete Treatment: Patients not completing prescribed antibiotic courses and
stopping antibiotics after the subsidence of symptoms. Hence statement 3 is correct.
● Environmental Contamination: Effluents from healthcare facilities and pharmaceutical
manufacturing units contaminating water sources can lead to AMR.
● Lack of Infection Control: Poor sanitation, hygiene, and infection control measures such as
disease surveillance in healthcare facilities and communities.

4. Consider the following statements with reference to the Biodiversity Beyond National
Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement.
1. BBNJ is a treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
2. BBNJ emphasizes long-term protection of marine biodiversity in the high seas.
3. India is not a signatory to the treaty.

Answer: B
Explanation:
● The BBNJ Agreement, or the ‘High Seas Treaty’, is an international treaty under the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Hence statement 1 is
correct.
○ ‘High Seas’ are sea areas beyond national jurisdiction and are global common
oceans open to all for internationally lawful purposes such as navigation, overflight,
laying submarine cables and pipelines, etc.

● It aims to address the growing concerns over the long-term protection of marine
biodiversity in the high seas. Hence statement 2 is correct.
● It sets precise mechanisms for the sustainable use of marine biological diversity through
international cooperation and coordination.
● Parties cannot claim or exercise sovereign rights over marine resources derived from
the high seas and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
● It follows an inclusive, integrated, ecosystem-centric approach based on the precautionary
principle and promotes using traditional knowledge and the best available scientific
knowledge.
● It helps minimise impacts on the marine environment through area-based management
tools and establishes rules for conducting environmental impact assessments.

● It would also contribute to achieving several SDGs, particularly SDG14 (Life Below Water).
● The BBNJ Agreement was agreed upon in March 2023 and is open for signature for two
years starting September 2023.
● It will be an international legally binding treaty after it enters force 120 days after the 60th
ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.
● As of October 2024, 105 countries have signed this agreement and 15 countries have
ratified it.
● India has signed the treaty in September 2024. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

5. Consider the following statements about The Asian Development Bank.
1. The Bank is headquartered in Wuhan, China.
2. China is the largest shareholder of the bank.

Answer: D
Explanation:
● The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was founded in 1966 with the primary mission of
fostering growth and cooperation among countries in the Asia-Pacific Region.
● ADB assists its members, and partners, by providing loans, technical assistance, grants, and
equity investments to promote social and economic development.
● It is headquartered in Manila, Philippines. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.
Members & Shareholding
● At present, ADB comprises 68 members (including India) - of which 49 are from within
Asia and the Pacific and 19 outside.
● The ADB was modeled closely on the World Bank, and has a similar weighted voting
system where votes are distributed in proportion with members' capital subscriptions.
● ADB’s five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (each with 15.6% of
total shares), the People’s Republic of China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%).
Hence statement 2 is incorrect.
● ADB is an official United Nations Observer.

1. Strait of Gibraltar connects

Answer: D