General Awareness

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS - March 2017

Mar 2017

Oct 07, 2026

153rd Inter‑Parliamentary Union Assembly held in Tanzania

The 153rd Assembly of the Inter‑Parliamentary Union (IPU) was held in Arusha, Tanzania, from 5 to 9 October 2026. An Indian Parliamentary Delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh participated in plenary sessions, parliamentary forums and bilateral meetings. The IPU Assembly provides a global platform for parliamentarians to discuss international issues, democratic cooperation and matters of common concern. Indian delegates engaged on topics such as health, governance and multilateral cooperation, reflecting India’s active role in promoting democratic values within the IPU framework.

153rd IPU Assembly held in Arusha from 5–9 October 2026.
Indian delegation led by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh.
Participants discussed international issues and democratic cooperation.
Indian delegates engaged on health, governance and multilateral topics.
IPU provides a global platform for parliamentary collaboration.

Second India‑EFTA Prosperity Summit held in New Delhi

The Second India‑EFTA Prosperity Summit 2026 was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on 7 October 2026. The summit, themed Building a USD 100 billion Investment Partnership and creating 1 million jobs in India, featured remarks by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swiss President Guy Parmelin. Delegates discussed expanding investment, trade and employment opportunities with the European Free Trade Association members. Leaders highlighted collaboration across sectors such as manufacturing, technology and green energy, aiming to deepen economic ties and promote sustainable growth. The event reflected India’s push to attract foreign investment and create large-scale employment.

Second India‑EFTA Prosperity Summit held on 7 October 2026 in New Delhi.
Theme focuses on USD 100 billion investment partnership and 1 million jobs.
Address by Prime Minister Modi and Swiss President Parmelin.
Oppurtunities discussed in manufacturing, tech and green energy.
Demonstrates India’s drive to attract FDI and boost employment.

Oct 04, 2026

COP31 to Be Hosted by Antalya, Türkiye from 9 to 20 November 2026

Türkiye will host COP31, the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, in Antalya from 9 to 20 November 2026. The venue is the Antalya EXPO Center in Soğucaksu. Delegates from around the world will discuss climate mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, and the implementation of the Paris Agreement. Türkiye will lead the hosting duties, with Australia taking a leading role in negotiations. The conference provides a platform for governments to advance collective climate action and set future steps. India’s participation and climate diplomacy stance will be closely watched by observers and participants.

COP31 runs from 9 to 20 November 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye.
The venue is the Antalya EXPO Center in Soğucaksu.
Türkiye hosts; Australia leads negotiations.
Discussions cover mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, and Paris Agreement implementation.

Oct 02, 2026

Oxford Tops THE World University Rankings 2027

Oxford University has retained the top position in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2027, marking its 11th consecutive year at number one. The rankings, published on 30 September 2026, evaluated 2,297 universities across 118 countries and territories. The assessment tracked five major parameters: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, and industry engagement. The results underscore the continued prominence of traditional research-intensive universities in global higher education. The University of California, Berkeley emerged as the highest-ranked public university in North America and shared ninth place globally with Yale University. In India, education policymakers and academics monitor THE rankings as a benchmarking tool alongside national measures.

Oxford retained THE World University Rankings 2027 top spot for 11th consecutive year.
Rankings published 30 September 2026; coverage included 2,297 universities across 118 countries.
Five performance domains used: teaching, research environment, research quality, international outlook, industry engagement.
UC Berkeley was the top public university in North America and tied for ninth globally with Yale.
Indian higher-education stakeholders use THE rankings for benchmarking alongside national indicators.

Oct 01, 2026

11th BIMSTEC JWG-CTTC gathers in New Delhi to boost regional counter-terrorism cooperation

New Delhi hosted the 11th BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC) from 28 to 29 September 2026. Delegations from seven BIMSTEC members — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand — discussed strengthening regional cooperation against terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, terror financing and radicalisation. The meeting was chaired by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary (Counter Terrorism) at the Ministry of External Affairs, India. Participants reviewed existing frameworks and explored practical steps for information sharing and joint investigations. The discussions will feed into BIMSTEC’s broader security agenda and future mechanisms.

Event: BIMSTEC JWG-CTTC meeting in New Delhi, 28–29 Sep 2026
Participants from seven BIMSTEC member states
Key focus: terrorism, human trafficking, narcotics, money laundering
Chair: Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, MEA
Outcomes to inform BIMSTEC security planning

Sep 30, 2026

Morocco appoints Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri as first woman Prime Minister

Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri was appointed as Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister in September 2026 by King Mohammed VI, making her the second woman to hold the post in the Arab world after Tunisia's Najla Bouden. Before becoming prime minister, El Mansouri served as the mayor of Marrakesh and held the role of Minister of National Spatial Planning, Urban Development, Housing, and Urban Policy. Her appointment signals a shift in Morocco’s political history, with observers noting increased female leadership at the highest levels. Analysts expect the new government to pursue reforms in housing, urban planning, and regional development, while maintaining stability and international engagement.

El Mansouri named Morocco’s first woman Prime Minister (Sept 2026)
Appointed by King Mohammed VI; second woman PM in Arab world
Former Marrakesh mayor and urban planning minister
Signals shift toward female leadership in Morocco
Possible reforms in housing and urban development

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

November GK, October GK, September GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services and Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26