Summits and Conferences in Current Affairs MCQs

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Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare (MoA&FW) organized the National Conference on Agri Stack at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The event focused on turning agricultural data into efficient service delivery under the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM). Officials from the Centre, States, and key stakeholders discussed progress, challenges, and the future of Agri Stack implementation. Agri Stack is designed as a digital public good similar to Aadhaar, with a federated structure for Central and State collaboration.

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The 113th International Labour Conference (ILC) was held in Geneva from 2 to 13 June 2025, with over 5,400 delegates from governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations. ILC is the annual meeting of the 187 Member States of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency for the world of work. The conference adopted Convention No. 192, the first global treaty addressing biological hazards in the workplace. It also approved an amendment to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006, ensuring rights like shore leave and repatriation for seafarers.

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Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) announced a three-day international conference from August 20 to 22, 2025, in Greater Noida to focus on deciphering the Indus Valley script. The event, titled ‘Decipherment of the Indus Script: Current Status and the Way Forward’, will include experts from India and abroad working on Harappan civilisation and script. This comes after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin offered a $1 million prize for anyone who successfully deciphers the Indus script. ASI may also introduce fellowships for scholars dedicated to this research.

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Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla inaugurated a two-day National Conference of Estimates Committees of Parliament and States and Union Territories (UTs) Legislative Bodies in Mumbai. It was highlighted that these committees play an important role in improving governance and pushing administrative reforms. Nearly 90 percent of the recommendations made by the committees for citizen welfare have been implemented. The use of modern technology was encouraged to further enhance committee functioning.

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Recently, from 24 to 25 June 2025, the Netherlands hosted the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit at the World Forum in The Hague. NATO allies agreed on a historic decision to invest 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in defence, replacing the earlier 2% benchmark. The new commitment includes 3.5% of GDP for core defence needs and 1.5% for infrastructure and defence-related industries. The next NATO Summit is scheduled to be held in Türkiye in 2026.

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Recently, the third National Conference on Responsible Business Conduct (NCRBC) 2025 was inaugurated by Shri Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs and Road Transport & Highways, at Taj Palace, New Delhi. It was organised by the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), the two-day event focused on “Integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) for Viksit Bharat.” The event highlighted India’s shift from regulatory prosecution to trust-based corporate governance with ESG at the centre of business strategy.

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India will Chair BRICS in 2026. BRICS nations have officially supported India’s Chairship for the 18th BRICS Summit. They also backed India’s bid to host the 33rd Conference of the Parties (COP 33) to the UNFCCC in 2028. China and Russia reaffirmed their support for India’s permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). BRICS recognized India’s Startup Knowledge Hub initiative for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.

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India’s International Movement to Unite Nations (IIMUN) Conference 2025 was recently inaugurated in Noida. The event focused on empowering youth to lead the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. This vision aligns with the ‘Panch Pran’ (Five Pledges) for Amrit Kaal announced on Independence Day 2022. The five pledges include: developing India, removing colonial mindsets, taking pride in heritage, strengthening unity, and fulfilling collective responsibility.

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Recently, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi. It supports the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047 to make India a top maritime power. Container capacity rose by over 70%, and cargo via coastal and inland waterways grew. India allows 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in shipping and offers incentives via GIFT City IFSC. A Maritime Development Fund (MDF) was announced to boost long-term finance in shipbuilding and port infrastructure. Parliament passed the Bills of Lading Bill 2025 to simplify shipping document laws.

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Shri Om Birla, Lok Sabha Speaker, will lead the Indian Parliamentary Delegation at the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC). The 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference (CPC) will be hosted by the Parliament of Barbados and CPA Barbados Branch in Bridgetown, Barbados from 5-12 October 2025. The theme for 2025 is “The Commonwealth – A Global Partner”.