Summits and Conferences in Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The first International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit Africa was held on 17 June 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya. It was organised by Pepperdine University and the Religious Freedom Institute, and hosted by the Global Peace Foundation. The summit brought together policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society groups from across Africa. The aim was to discuss both the challenges and the opportunities related to promoting religious freedom on the continent. This event marks a significant step in uniting global efforts to protect the right to religious belief and practice in Africa.

Notes:
The annual Health20 (H20) Summit is held on 19–20 June 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland, under the theme “Reimagining partnerships and building back public trust in global health.” It is organised by The G20 and G7 Health and Development It supports the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 17 on partnerships. It supports the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 17 on partnerships.

Notes:
The Energy Asia Conference 2025 was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from June 16 to 18, 2025, bringing together experts, investors, and policymakers from 60 countries and 38 industries. The conference discussed clean energy, hydrogen, digital innovations, and carbon-neutral strategies under the region’s net-zero goals. Asia will need $88.7 trillion in energy investment by 2050, driven by population growth, AI-based industrialisation, and rising demand, especially from data centres. Nuclear power’s future role was explored, with next-gen reactors seen as safer and more efficient for Asia’s long-term clean energy goals.

Notes:
Recently, the Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) 2025 began on 25 June 2025 at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). ICCON was first launched in 2023 during the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger and the announcement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). ICCON 2025 features 17 themes, oral and speed talks, poster sessions, spotlight lectures, and 10 capacity-building workshops. A major highlight is TechBridge, a unique wildlife technology forum showcasing new tools for field use.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
Recently, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla inaugurated the first national conference of Urban Local Bodies chairpersons at International Centre for Automotive Technology, Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana on 3rd July 2025. The theme is “Role of Urban Local Bodies in Strengthening Constitutional Democracy and Nation Building”. It aims to showcase Urban Local Bodies as pillars of democracy, engines of growth, and architects of Viksit Bharat 2047. It focuses on women empowerment, good municipal governance, and best practices.

Notes:
A two-day National Conference on “Good Governance Practices” was recently held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on July 17-18, 2025. It was jointly organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) and the Government of Odisha. The event aimed to showcase successful governance models awarded the Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Public Administration.

Notes:
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.

Notes:
The 28th National Conference on e-Governance (NCeG 2025) will be held on 22-23 September 2025 at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is jointly organized by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and Government of Andhra Pradesh. IIM Visakhapatnam will be the knowledge partner for the conference. The theme is “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation”. The conference will showcase best practices, emerging trends, and collaboration in digital governance for public service delivery.

Notes:
India has been elected as chairman of the Executive Board of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) with the highest votes at the 23rd AIBD General Conference in Phuket, Thailand (19–21 August 2025). India last held this position in 2016, and this strengthens its leadership role as it also serves as President of AIBD General Conference until August 2025. AIBD, founded in 1977 under UNESCO, has 92 member organizations from 45 countries. The conference theme was “Media for People, Peace & Prosperity,” highlighting India’s growing global influence in broadcasting.