Explanation

• Mark Rutte became the 14th Secretary General of NATO on 1 October 2024.
• He has also served as the prime minister of Netherlands.
• He replaced Jens Stoltenberg.

 Last verified on 22-10-2026

Explanation

• The Headquarters of SAARC is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Full Form: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation
• Founded: 8 December 1985
• Founding place: Dhaka, Bangladesh

SAARC Member Countries:

1. Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh
3. Bhutan
4. India
5. Maldives
6. Nepal
7. Pakistan
8. Sri Lanka

Last updated by NA on 14-09-2026

Explanation

• Afghanistan became SAARC’s 8th member in 2007 at the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi, India.

Additional information:

• SAARC was established on 8 December 1985 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Its founding members were Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives.
• SAARC’s Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Last verified on 21-10-2026

Explanation

• NDCs are national climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement.
• Countries outline their targets and measures for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and adapting to climate change.
• Under the Paris Agreement, countries must communicate updated NDCs every five years, reflecting progression and their highest possible ambition.
• The Paris Agreement aims to keep global warming well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Last verified on 21-10-2026

Explanation

• The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force on 16 February 2005 under the UNFCCC.
• It followed Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR), requiring developed countries to lead emission reductions due to their historical emissions and greater resources.
• It set legally binding greenhouse-gas reduction targets for developed countries and economies in transition, not the same targets for all developing countries.
• First commitment period: 2008–2012.
• Second commitment period: 2013–2020, under the Doha Amendment.

Last verified on 21-10-2026

Explanation

• The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a regional intergovernmental organisation focused on security, economic cooperation, and regional stability.
• India and Pakistan both became full members of the SCO in 2017.
• The SCO was founded in 2001 in Shanghai, China.

Last verified on 21-10-2026

Explanation

• IBRD (World Bank): 11 July 1950

Additional information:

• United Nations (UN/UNO): 30 September 1947.
• FAO: 7 September 1947.
• Commonwealth of Nations: 1947; withdrew in 1972 and rejoined in 1989. 
• WHO: 1948.
• UNESCO: 1949.
• IMF: 11 July 1950. 
• SEATO: 1954; dissolved in 1977.
• CENTO: 1955; dissolved in 1979.
• OIC: 1969.
• SAARC: 1985.
• WTO: 1995.
• Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO): 9 June 2017.

Last verified on 15-10-2026

Explanation

• Headquarters: Tehran, Iran.
• Established: 1985.
• Founding countries: Türkiye, Iran, and Pakistan.
• Official language: English.
• Purpose: To promote economic, technical, and cultural cooperation among member states.

ECO Member States (10):

1. Türkiye
2. Iran
3. Pakistan
4. Afghanistan
5. Azerbaijan
6. Kazakhstan
7. Kyrgyz Republic
8. Uzbekistan
9. Tajikistan
10. Turkmenistan

Last verified on 14-10-2026

Explanation

FAO observed its 81st anniversary on 16th October 2026.

FAO stands for Food and Agriculture Organization

FAO was founded on 16 October 1945

FAO headquarters located in Rome, Italy.

World Food Day is observed on 16 October. 

***

Explanation

Tanku Abdul Rahman of Malaysia was the first Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) from 1971 to 1973.

2nd Secretary General: Hassan al-Touhami (1974-1975)

3rd Secretary General: Amadou Karim Gaye (1975-1979)

11th Secretary General: Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen (2016-2020)

12th and Current Secretary General: Hissein Brahim Taha (2020-present)