Important Days and Events Current Affairs MCQs

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International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) is observed every year on May 22 to raise awareness and take action to protect biodiversity. In 2025, the theme is “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” showing the link between biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme also connects with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and the recently adopted Pact for the Future. IDB was first established in 1993, and initially celebrated on December 29, marking the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) changed the date to May 22, to mark the 1992 adoption of the convention in Nairobi.

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The 24th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers (COM) Meeting was hosted virtually by Sri Lanka under the theme “Sustainable Indian Ocean for Future Generation.” India was represented by Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, P. Kumaran. India is currently the Vice-Chair of IORA and part of the Troika and will assume the Chairship for 2025–2027. Ministers and high-level delegates from all 22 IORA Member States and 12 Dialogue Partners attended. The meeting adopted the ‘Colombo Communiqué’ and discussed regional cooperation. India reaffirmed its commitment to peace, security, and development in the Indian Ocean Region.

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Commonwealth Day is observed on different dates worldwide and on May 24 in India. It celebrates the shared history and values of countries once part of the British Empire. The day was first linked to Queen Victoria’s birthday on May 24, 1819. The 2025 theme is ‘Together we thrive’, focusing on unity and strong communities. India joined the Commonwealth in 1950 under the London Declaration by Krishna Menon. New Delhi hosted the Commonwealth Games in October 2010. King Charles III is the current symbolic head after Queen Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign. The day promotes international cooperation for global peace and prosperity.

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Singapore is hosting the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD) from May 30 to June 1, 2025. The event is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). This year, 47 countries will participate, including 40 Ministerial-level delegates and 20 Chiefs of Defence Forces, along with over 20 senior defence officials and experts. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will represent India at the dialogue. The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s premier defence and security summit, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs, policymakers, and strategists worldwide. Leaders will discuss Indo-Pacific security challenges and work to strengthen defence cooperation and India’s strategic partnerships.

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Recently, the Prime Minister of India addressed the 81st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the World Air Transport Summit (WATS) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. IATA was founded on 19 April 1945 in Havana, Cuba, to support safe, secure, reliable, and economical air services worldwide. The last Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in India was held in 1983, 42 years ago. Its main goals are to develop international air transport, ensure cooperation among airlines, improve safety, and create global air traffic rules.

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World Bicycle Day is celebrated annually on June 3rd. The United Nations General Assembly declared June 3 as World Bicycle Day in April 2018. Recently, the 25th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was celebrated with a special Tiranga Rally in India. The rally paid tribute to Operation Sindoor and also marked the occasion of World Bicycle Day. It highlighted cycling as a symbol of unity, health, and sustainability.

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World Accreditation Day (WAD) is celebrated annually on June 9. World Accreditation Day (WAD) 2025 was celebrated by the Quality Council of India (QCI) at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. QCI is India’s national body for accreditation and works through National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB). It partners with global bodies like International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and International Accreditation Forum (IAF) to meet global quality standards. The 2025 theme was “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”.

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World Day Against Child Labour is observed every year on June 12 to raise awareness about the issue of child labour. The theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2025 is “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: Let’s speed up efforts!”. This day was first launched in 2002 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency promoting workers’ rights.

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The India Pavilion at World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, has been ranked among the top five pavilions along with the United States, Italy, Japan, and France. It highlights India’s rich cultural heritage, innovation, and sustainable development in a vibrant and engaging way. The pavilion includes sections on heritage, Ayurveda, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and more. It has been curated by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The World Expo will continue till 13th October 2025.

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The United Nations (UN) observes June 16 as International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) to honour the role of migrant workers in supporting families. The theme for 2025 is “Remittances Financing Development.” Remittances impact around 1 billion people worldwide, either as senders or receivers. The campaign focuses on how remittances support Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. It promotes financial inclusion, household economic stability, and climate resilience. IDFR was first observed in 2008 by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the World Bank.