International Organizations, Defence, Books & Authors, World History

Notes:
Japan was the first country in Asia to industrialize on a large scale. Industrialization began in Japan after the fall of the Tokugawa government in 1868. Japan industrialized faster than many European countries.
Japan’s industrialization was prompted by the need to improve the nation’s defenses against foreign threats. Local clans developed industrialization by copying Western examples and using traditional craft skills. Japan’s production included steel, machinery, metal goods, and chemicals, which were produced in quantities large enough for export.
Other Asian countries that have industrialized include: South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong.

Notes:
China is not a member of BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation). BIMSTEC is a regional organization comprising of countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia that border the Bay of Bengal. The member countries of BIMSTEC are:

1. Bangladesh
2. Bhutan
3. India
4. Myanmar
5. Nepal
6. Sri Lanka
7. Thailand

China is not a member of BIMSTEC; it is not located along the Bay of Bengal and is not part of the South Asian or Southeast Asian region covered by this organization.

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The Dag Hammarskjöld Library is a library on the grounds of the headquarters of the United Nations. It located in the Turtle Bay/East Midtown neighborhood of Manhattan, in New York City.

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The World Investment Report focuses is an official publication of the UNCTAD (United National Conference in Trade and Development). It reports the trends in foreign direct investment (FDI) worldwide, at the regional and country levels.

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Nuclear Suppliers Group was formed by  seven countries viz. Canada, West Germany, France, Japan, the USSR, the United Kingdom, and the United States in response to the ‘Smiling Buddha’ (Pokharan-I) of India in 1974. It was clear from this adventure of India that certain non-weapons specific nuclear technology could be readily turned to weapons development, since it was alleged that India used the Canada sourced material to make bomb. The objective of the NSG was to reduce nuclear proliferation by controlling the export and re-transfer of materials that may be applicable to nuclear weapon development and by improving safeguards and protection on existing materials.

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The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade is a legal agreement between countries, whose overall purpose was to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs or quotas. It is to evolve rules of game for international trade.

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World Press Freedom Day is observed on May 3 each year. Established by the United Nations in 1993, this day highlights the importance of press freedom and the role of journalism in promoting democracy and human rights. The date commemorates the Windhoek Declaration, which advocates for a free, independent, and pluralistic press.

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The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) that measures and tracks hunger at global, regional, and national levels. It takes into account factors such as undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality to provide an overall assessment of hunger and malnutrition in various countries.

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The Financial Transaction Plan is an integral part of the IMF, managing its lending and repayment operations. The Technical Assistance Special Fund is associated with the Asian Development Bank and not the IMF. The Financial Stability Board is a separate international body; while IMF representatives participate in its activities, it is not part of the IMF itself.

Notes:
FAO is also a source of knowledge and information, and helps developing countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates into English as “let there be bread”