UPSC Prelims 2023 Q30: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Consider the following infrastructure sectors:
1. Affordable housing
2. Mass rapid transport
3. Health care
4. Renewable energy
On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and
Innovation (S3i) initiative focus for its investments?
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) Only three
- (d) All four
Answer: (c) Only three
Explanation
UNOPS S3i — Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Run by | UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) |
| Launched | 2018 |
| Aim | Attract private investment into infrastructure in developing countries, linked to the SDGs |
Its three focus sectors:
| Sector | In S3i focus? |
|---|---|
| 1. Affordable housing | Yes |
| 2. Mass rapid transport | No |
| 3. Health care | Yes |
| 4. Renewable energy | Yes |
So three of the four sectors are S3i focus areas.
Answer: (c) Only three.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. S3i focuses on three sectors, not one.
- (b) Incorrect. It covers housing, health care and renewable energy — three, not two.
- (c) CORRECT. S3i invests in affordable housing, renewable energy and health care.
- (d) Incorrect. Mass rapid transport is not one of S3i's focus sectors.
Key point
UNOPS S3i (2018) focuses on affordable housing, renewable energy and health infrastructure.
Remember
UNOPS S3i invests in affordable housing, renewable energy and health care.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all infrastructure types are included; S3i names only three sectors.
- Confusing UNOPS with UNDP; UNOPS is the UN's project services and infrastructure arm.
- Adding mass transit because it sounds like typical infrastructure.
Exam tip
S3i = 'Housing, Health, Energy'. Remember three H-E words, and transport is out.
Sources
- UNOPS — S3i initiative (unops.org)
- UNOPS Annual Report