UPSC CSE Prelims
UN Agencies and Specialized Bodies Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) follows a strategic framework centered on transforming agrifood systems through the "Four Betters" approach.

The Four Betters are:

• Better Production

• Better Nutrition

• Better Environment

• Better Life

The Blue Transformation initiative aims to make fisheries and aquaculture more sustainable and resilient while contributing to these four goals.

Options A, C, and D are incorrect because terms like better ocean, better coral reefs, better estuaries, and better mangrove vegetation are not part of FAO's official framework.

Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.

FAO's Blue Transformation

• Blue Transformation is FAO's strategy to sustainably expand aquatic food systems, including fisheries and aquaculture.

• It supports food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability through the framework of the Four Betters.

Detailed Explanation:

The answer is UNHCR — the only organisation among the four to have won the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

Why UNHCR won twice:

• 1954 — Post-WWII refugee relief efforts
• 1981 — Ongoing work promoting fundamental rights of refugees globally

Key Point: All four organisations have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but only UNHCR has won it twice — making the answer 1.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — Only three

The UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i) initiative focuses on three specific infrastructure sectors: Affordable Housing, Renewable Energy, and Health Infrastructure. Mass rapid transport is not included in the S3i investment mandate.

✅ Affordable housing – Included: S3i invests in sustainable, affordable housing to address global housing shortages.
❌ Mass rapid transport – Not Included: Transport infrastructure is not part of the S3i initiative's specific investment focus.
✅ Health care – Included: Health infrastructure is a core focus area to improve access to essential medical services.
✅ Renewable energy – Included: Clean energy and climate-resilient infrastructure are key investment areas for S3i.

📝 Short Notes: UNOPS S3i Initiative

• Full Name: Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3i)
• Launched by: United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
• Primary Objective: Mobilize private capital for sustainable infrastructure investments aligned with SDGs
• Three Focus Sectors: Affordable Housing, Renewable Energy, and Health Infrastructure
• Investment Approach: Blended finance model combining public and private resources
• Target Regions: Primarily developing countries with infrastructure deficits
• Alignment: Supports SDG 3 (Health), SDG 7 (Energy), SDG 9 (Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Cities)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — 3 only

The United Nations Credentials Committee is a committee of the UN General Assembly, not the Security Council. It is appointed at the beginning of each regular session (not in specific months like March, June, September). Only Statement 3 is correct as the Committee examines credentials of Member State representatives and reports to the General Assembly for approval.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Credentials Committee is set up by the UN General Assembly on the proposal of its President, not by the Security Council.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly (typically in September), not in March, June, and September throughout the year.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: The Committee examines credentials of representatives of all UN Member States (submitted by Head of State/Government or Foreign Minister) and reports to the General Assembly for approval as per Rule 27 and 28 of the Rules of Procedure.

📝 Short Notes: UN Credentials Committee

• Nature: A committee of the UN General Assembly, consisting of 9 members appointed on the President's proposal
• Appointment: Established at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly
• Mandate: Examines credentials of representatives of Member States and reports to the General Assembly (Rule 28)
• Credential Submission: Credentials are submitted to the Secretary-General by the Head of State/Government or Foreign Minister (Rule 27)
• Function: Ensures proper representation of Member States at the General Assembly by verifying diplomatic credentials
• Significance: Can become politically contentious when there are competing claims to represent a state (e.g., Myanmar after 2021 coup, Afghanistan after Taliban takeover)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — 1, 2 and 3

All three statements regarding the United Nations General Assembly's observer status provisions are correct. The UN General Assembly has the authority to grant observer status to non-member states, inter-governmental organizations, and other entities, allowing them to participate in sessions and maintain permanent missions at UN Headquarters.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to non-member states, such as Palestine and the Holy See (Vatican City), which held this status before Palestine's upgraded status.

✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Inter-governmental organizations like the African Union, European Union, and International Committee of the Red Cross have been granted observer status in the UN General Assembly for matters within their areas of competence.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Permanent Observers are permitted to maintain permanent missions at UN Headquarters in New York and participate in General Assembly sessions, though they cannot vote on resolutions.

📝 Short Notes: UN Observer Status

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 1 and 3 only

UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme for human settlements with a mandate to promote sustainable urbanization and adequate shelter for all. Statement 2 is incorrect because UN-Habitat works with diverse partners including NGOs, academic institutions, private sector, and civil society organizations, not just governments and local authorities.

✅ Statement 1 – Correct: UN-Habitat has been mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and provide adequate shelter for all.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: UN-Habitat partners with a wide range of stakeholders including governments, local authorities, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, not just governments or local urban authorities.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: UN-Habitat contributes to the UN system's overall objectives of poverty reduction and promoting access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation as part of sustainable urban development.

Detailed Explanation:

Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a comprehensive agenda for women's empowerment adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China in 1995.

It was convened by the United Nations and identified 12 critical areas of concern including women and poverty, violence against women, women in power and decision-making, and education and training of women.