Report of Chitwan Model United Nations IV

Chitwan Model United Nations has grown with each successive edition and this new iteration was no exception. The event successfully catered 135 exceptional individuals of diverse educational background. With the motto of Connect, Co-create and Culture Youth Thinkers’ Society-Chitwan has been creating this platform since 2016 especially for the students outside the valley with access to affordable and accessible Model United Nations. The event has proven time and again itself as an amazing and exemplarily excellent platform for youth empowerment.

Date: 17th  January to 19th January, 2019

Venue: Kabilas Village Resort, Tandrang, Chitwan, Nepal

Number of Committee simulated: 4

Total Number of Delegates: 95

Dais, International Press, Organizing Committee members and other guest: 40

objectives

The basic idea to start Chitwan Model United Nations was to disseminate knowledge of diplomacy, negotiations and public speaking with the format of Model United Nations. Similarly we aim to create opportunities that are often capital centric, accessible and affordable to the youths outside of the valley. 

Committee Details

1. United Nations Security Council

   

Agenda: Militarization of Arctic

The directorial report of the committee

Roll Call

Total number: 15 Delegates

Presence: 14 

Present and Voting: 10

Present: 4

Moderated Caucuses:

• Establishing Arctic Concern groups among P5 nations.

• Establishment of strong surveillance framework in arctic region.

• Collusion of interest in the Arctic.

• Less presence and involvement of UN in arctic region as a cause

Initially, the committee had only 12 delegates present and two of the delegates joined mid-committee session. 

On the first day the committee had to go into multiple informal sessions to acquaint the delegates regarding the agenda and the rules of procedures. Although the committee was UNSC, there were many delegates who were very new to the world of MUNing and for others it was their first time. Regardless, the dais tried their best to make it a memorable and a learning experience for everyone.

The president of UNSC started up with a presentation based on the agenda ‘Demilitarization of Arctic’. The brief presentation addressed much of the needed background and concept regarding the agenda. The committee started with the consultation of the whole where the research done by the delegates could clearly be observed with the content they presented in their speech. We had delegates proposing cooperation and solution based on general consensus. Most delegates agreed to Arctic being a commonwealth and not belonging to one particular country. While the committee pushed for formulation of new policies, conventions and treaties; a few delegates (Netherlands) made a commendable effort to bring forth the already existing treaty that addresses the questions raised.

There was a clear lack of understanding and research with the speech of the delegates. The committee went into an Un-Mod so that delegates could decide the direction of the committee. The Un-mod was fruitful as delegates had started to focus on specific topics rather than tackling the agenda as a whole. The President then took an informal approach to addressing the problem statement. This crucial informal session provided the beginner delegates with the tools to address the issue. 

Overall, the activity on the first day was pretty low and there was clearly a lack of research and direction. By the end of the committee session for the Day 1, delegates albeit exhausted were very enthusiastic about exploring the issue and willing to participate. Under the general consensus of the committee, a working paper was presented and it paved a proper pathway for the involvement of delegates due to the flaws. On a positive note, we saw delegates from all the age groups participating in the discussion.

Day 2 (17th Jan, 2020)

United Nations Security Council

Roll Call

Total number: 15 Delegates

Presence: 14 

Present and Voting: 13

Present: 1

Moderated Caucuses:

• Less presence and involvement of UN in arctic region as a cause.

• Threat to Indigenous people living in the region.

• Opening of a new sea route through the Arctic.

• Militarization of arctic and the basis of militarization.

• Changing the shape of arctic security.

• Limitations of arms and opening of Northern Sea Routes.

Day 2 started with a great vigor and the continuation of discussion on the previous moderated caucus i.e, ‘Less presence and involvement of UN in arctic region as a cause’. It really brought the committee together as they pointed out the lack of accountability and biasness on the side of the UN. The Dais were notified about the efforts made by the delegates. Delegates gathered up a few hours earlier on a cold-rainy morning to discuss up a strategy for the session ahead. It led to the formation of a proper bloc in the committee. 

Efforts made by the delegate were clearly recognized. They had researched on their part and put their statement forward. On one instance, the delegate of Russia claimed that the planting of Russian flag on the Arctic Seabed was not a claim but just a part of their culture and tradition.

There were clearly some differences in the committee regardless of the formation of the bloc. Russia and China were isolated and their motions continuously failed. It was a surprise to see China join the US bloc. The resolution was drafted with China being a part of it. Russia formulated their own resolution but failed to garner any sponsor or signatories. It was a commendable effort by the Russian delegate to stick to their stance even when isolated in the committee. The US bloc proceeded forward with the presentation of Draft Resolution which was backed by everyone except Russia. 

With 13 Yes and 1 No with rights (Veto by Russia), the resolution failed to pass in the committee. Russia cited that the resolution was not inclusive of all the points in the committee and their interests were not considered for it. 

Overall, it would have been a great committee if it was anything but UNSC. Since the committee consisted of members with little to no MUNing experience, it failed to live up to the standard of a Security Council committee. It was a learning experience for everyone involved. The delegates clearly enjoyed the committee and being a part of it. We could clearly see many delegates who wanted to continue MUNing in the future. 

The draft resolution that failed was:

Draft resolution 1.1

United Nations Security Council

Sponsors: The Kingdom of the Netherlands, Iceland, The Kingdom of Norway, the Kingdom of Denmark,   United States Of America, Iceland

Signatories: the People’s Republic Of China, Republic of Singapore, United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Sweden, Republic of Finland, French Republic, Russian Federation, Japan, Federal Republic of  Germany 

Topic: Militarization of Arctic

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 66/1225, 555(1970), Article 76 UNCLOS and concerning Militarization of Arctic,

Acting under UN Charter VI and  XV which deals with the settlement of Disputes and Pacific Settlement of Dispute,

Recognizing all the Treaties signed by different about the Militarization of the Arctic, Marine resources and Scientific research,

Acknowledging the possibility of the nuclear and cold war between the arctic nations,

Expecting the global goals on a common solution

1. Authorizes Increasing and strengthening the Involvement of the UN in the Arctic        region for working on Arctic issues made;

2. Emphasizes on Amendment of the Arctic Council’s agenda to include the discussion of security issues in the Arctic Region;

3. Confirms that Supporting the rights of indigenous peoples in the Arctic in close cooperation with indigenous organizations and supporting their direct involvement in decisions on regional issues;

4. Supports Extensive surveillance framework along with unnotified inspection under the UN authorities in the Arctic Region to monitor the military activities;

5. Call upon The Arctic should not be limited to a narrow geographical definition but should be viewed as an extensive area that extends both to the North Pole area proper and the part of the North Atlantic Ocean when it comes to ecological, economic, political and security matters; 

6. Encourages Increasing consultations and cooperation at the domestic level on Arctic issues to ensure increased knowledge of the importance of the Arctic region, democratic discussion and solidarity on the implementation of the Government's Arctic policy;

7. Approves Building on agreements and promoting cooperation with other States and stakeholders on issues relating to interests of the Arctic region;

8. Accepts the availability of research and development from the 12 nautical miles  under the observation of those states.

9. Considers Formation and implementation of Arctic Body that mobilizes military forces and economic contribution for that body in the arctic region on the basis of the geographical status of Arctic State; 

10. Approves the Northern Sea Route that can be created to increase cooperation among the states by securing national security, economic prosperity, natural resources, and arctic biodiversity.

2. World Food Program

   

Agenda: Achieving Global Food Security through Development of Resilient and Sustainable Food Production Systems

The directorial report of the committee

WFP committee of Chitwan MUN Edition IV commenced with the introduction of dias panel and delegates with every individual sharing their embarrassing moment. Then, the chair explained the Rules Of Procedures(ROP’s) as most of the delegates were first timers. Dias members recognized that every delegate was clear about ROP’s and formally commenced the committee session with the roll call. Among 23 delegates representing different countries, Iran raised the first motion to start General Speaker’s List (GSL).  During GSL, delegates seemed to be clear about the agenda . But when the very first motion of moderated caucus raised by the delegate of Indonesia as “Job opportunities for achieving global food security” passed , they seemed to be confused about the content agenda that is demanding. Then, the Co-Chair and the director came up with the brief introduction on the agenda and made delegates clear about the track to be followed. Then after, delegates came up with motions and points that were really impressive. Delegates came up with some creative solutions like food bank, poverty mapping, tax exclusion for farmers and so on. On the first day, 9 motions were discussed in the moderated caucus. UNMOD came into play 4 times. Committee session was full of ups and downs but towards the end of the day, delegates were on the point bringing up better and better solutions for challenging problems. First day ended with the promise of better research from delegates.

 Second day commenced with full of hopes. Delegates were better in GSL too. Then, the delegates came up with more specific and practical solutions. Delegates were eager to speak more and better with better and specific content. They were well researched and clear about MUN procedures and track to  be followed. Two motions were discussed on the second day before International Press(IP) came with the news of crisis in Italy due to devastating bushfire spreading to agricultural farms and food production systems. Delegates showed immediate response to the crisis in Italy with the aid and sustainable protection  measures too. After that, delegates discussed the remaining solutions to be addressed and started drafting resolutions after the dais member introduced the technicality of resolution. Finally, the resolution was passed unanimously after some amendments and the committee was adjourned. Delegates of Italy, Indonesia and Canada were awarded ‘Best Delegate’, ‘Best Strategist’, ‘Best Position Paper’ awards.  

The draft resolution of the committee that was passed was;

Draft Resolution 1.0

Topic: Achieving Global Food Security through Development of Resilient and Sustainable Food Production Systems

Sponsors: Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominion of Canada, People’s Republic of China, Repubblica Italiana

Signatories: Argentine Republic, Central African Republic, Federal Republic of Brazil, Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, Federal Republic of Germany, Islamic Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Kingdom of the Netherlands, Republic of Haiti, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Republic of Uganda, Republic of Yemen, State of Qatar, State of Israel, The Somali Republic, United Kingdom, United States of America

United Nations World Food Programme,

Recalling United Nations General Assembly resolution, A/RES/35/70, a celebration of World Food Day on 16th of October concerning the global arena,

Keeping in mind the forced migration due to wars and conflicts, resulting in a large number of refugees, leading towards food scarcity and malnutrition,

Recognizing the climate change causing drought and loss in arable land affecting food production and soil fertility,

Deeply concerned with the effects of poverty causing the decrease in purchasing power and low accessibility to food,

Noting with regret the use of conventional agricultural techniques leading to less production and decreased encouragement to farmers,

Fully alarmed by the feeble storage and marketing techniques leading to increased food loss and food wastage ultimately causing weak resiliency,

Observing the share of global food consumption covered by animal feed, food insecurity created by lack of proper livestock management and epidemics,

1. Encourages the member states to create policies that allow migrants to get involved in the agricultural sector and create migrant oriented job opportunities;

2. Requests member states to initiate actions to reduce GreenHouse Gases and promote innovative projects regarding climate action;

3. Urges all the United Nations member states to support the alleviation of food crisis in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Program by providing food aids, seeds, and agricultural technology;

4. Draws the attention of member states in creating a poverty mapping index to target food insecurity in relatively poor communities after completing the  survey; 

5. Recommends advanced agricultural techniques involving hydroponics, aeroponics, integrated pest management, drip irrigation, market management, integrated nutrient management, digitalization of agriculture, organic farming, terrace farming, agro-forestry, resulting in high yield of agricultural products;

6. Emphasizes the use of post-harvest technologies that help reduce food loss during growing, processing, packaging, transporting, and marketing and creates a resilient food production system;

7. Requests the United Nation member states to formulate and effectively implement guidelines for the management of animal feed products in the global marketplace;

8. Reminds all the member states to create a “Food is Everything” mindset among member state citizens to reduce food wastage through media sources;

9. Regrets the inability to utilize indigenous food sources and their potential to be commercialized that could contribute to sustainable food production.

3. United Nations High Commission for Refugees

   

Agenda: Climate Change and Displacement

The directorial report of the committee

Day 1:

The committee session commenced with the introduction of the dias panel, as well as of the delegates. To break the ice, the delegates talked about their hobbies and extracurricular activities. After being done with these, the Chair of the committee explained the rules and procedures of MUN. The Co-Chair and Director then shed light on the agenda and talked about the resolution which we sought from the delegates. Being done, we moved on to the voting procedure, and the delegates opened the General Speakers List. Fifteen delegates initially put their names on the list, though most of them couldn’t connect how refugees are connected to climate change, hence provided speech either on refugees or only on climate change. A moderated caucus was followed after the chair explained the agenda in the Nepali language, as around 60% of the delegates were from high schools, and was having the difficulty of the language barrier. A presentation was given by the spokesmen from UNHCR Nepal who were working on the same agenda which gave the delegates a clearer idea of the scenario.

Once the presentation was done, more delegates started to participate, as then they had grasped the concept of the agenda. The dias had decided that on the first day the delegates would comprehend the problem, and find the roots of it, and on the second day we would move towards solution and draft resolution. As this MUN was the first experience for many of the delegates, Co-Chair explained to them how to form blocs and be allies maintaining the country policies in unmoderated caucuses. The Director explained how the questions at the back of the study guide could be used to guide the debate and find the sub topics to talk on moderated caucuses, which would ultimately help the delegates to ultimately reach the resolutions, as well as explain the questions to them. During the unmoderated caucuses, the dias, especially the Chair, helped the delegates understand how the blocs work and how they should proceed on and decide. Keeping the instructions and guidance in mind, the delegates started performing accordingly. At the end of the day nearly all the delegates had started to share their point of views and come up with debate topics relevant to the agenda that led to fruitful discussions.

During the research session the dias talked about how the delegates should plan for tomorrow’s moderated caucuses. As the delegates did not read the study guide with them on the first day and many of them didn’t even read it, the dias highly recommended that they read the study guide before they came on the second day, as it contained a whole lot of information. The dias taught the delegates a few tips and tricks that they can use to easily obtain the data they are looking for, and how to stay prepared. With a brief recapitulation of the whole day, we wrapped up day one.

Day 2:

On the second day, the delegates came back with great enthusiasm and energy. They had researched the night before and raised a few important sub topics for moderated caucus. The dias, however, felt that the topics were more related to the problems rather than solution. Under the dias’s discretion, we decided that we would not take any more problem related moderated caucus, but move on to solution based mods. Hence after giving the delegates a short briefing about how to compile the problems and find the solutions to it, we moved on to moderated caucuses related to solutions.

The dias had decided that if there was enough time, we would start a crisis in the committee to make the discussions more intense but fun, as well as incorporate as many as countries as possible, allowing them to speak. The Co-Chair and Director of the committee led the crisis session. The crisis started with the assassination of Donald Trump, and ended with Rohingya crisis. There were five updates given along with one breaking news. Along with the countries at stake as well as the countries who started the crisis, many other delegates voluntarily took part in the Special Speaker’s List, putting forward many important points and logical points. As the crisis was about the refugees, the delegates also came up with some good resolutions for the refugees. The delegates thoroughly enjoyed the crisis and wanted more intense discussion as such, but we were running out of time. Few delegates who had not spoken much in the committee sessions performed really well in the crisis, e.g. the delegate of Iraq.

After the crisis ended, the committee resumed back to the moderated caucus. After taking two more moderated causes on solutions, under the dias’s discretion, the delegates were given unmoderated caucus to prepare the working paper. Once the time elapsed, the Chair explained how to write a Draft Resolution (DR) to the delegates. Afterwards the committee entered another unmoderated caucus to prepare the DR. When the time for unmoderated caucus was over, the sponsors came forward and presented the DR. Amendments were raised, and unfriendly ones went for voting. With a total of nine clause, the DR was voted for, which passed with 19 votes out of 24 countries. That wrapped up the committee sessions of the United Nations High Commission of Refugees officially. 

The draft resolution that was passed;

Draft Resolution 1.1

Topic: Climate change and displacement

Sponsors: People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Islamic State of Iraq, The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, The United States of America

Signatories: Republic of Liberia, Syrian Arabic Republic, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Germany, The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Republic of Ecuador, The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, The Kingdom of Netherlands, Republic of Yemen

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees,

Recognizing that climate change and displacement represents an imminent and potentially irreversible threat to human societies, future generations and planet;

Recalling Kyoto Protocol adopted in 1997 December 11 that committed industrialized countries to limit and reduce greenhouse gases emissions in accordance with individual targets;

Noting with deep concern, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) expects there may be 200 million climate refugees worldwide by 2050;

Taking into consideration the conclusion of  Paris Agreement at COP21,emphasis upon the need for its Parties to  secure human rights, right to health, decent livelihood and food security for different of people aggrieved by the adverse consequences of climate change expressly including the term ‘migrants’

Viewing with appreciation the past endeavors of several relevant UN bodies and non-governmental organizations;

Deeply regretting the fact that United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of reforms, particularly in the humanitarian realm;

1. Introduces the term “Climate Change Displaced Persons” (CCDP) to define all the people displaced due to the impacts of climate change,

       a)  Forms a new agency in collaboration with UNHCR to inspect the extent of     impact that the climate change displaced persons have faced and take action accordingly,

      b)  The agency will suggest the UNHRC body to set a framework for the legal rights of Climate Change Displaced Persons,

2. Emphasizes major carbon emitting nations to ratify and implement Paris Agreement in good faith and prioritize the urgent emission reduction,

3. Encourages the enhanced engagement and support from the regional and international communities for climate displacement and promote initiatives like “Green Climate Fund”,

4. Draws the attention of climate change prone least developed and developing countries to identify government ministry or agency for whom the regional and international community can engage on the technical level in the development and implementation of solution to climate displacement,

5. Calls upon  national governments to keep statistics on the scope and causes of climate displacement and number of people displaced by climate change,

6. Supports government to clearly identify the bodies for climate change induced displacement so that the climate displaced persons (IDPs) would have clear understanding of instructions providing social, financial and resettlement assistance,

7. Requests to develop planned relocation strategy for displaced people by climate change guarded by rights-based approach involving both the host and relocating communities,

8. Encourages the host nations to improve the conditions in CCDP refugee camps to host refugee in course of emergency,

9. Further invites the host countries to engage and empower climate change displaced people to sustainably use resources using their skills so as to mitigate environmental changes.

4. United Nations Environment Program

   

Agenda:Conservation of Endangered species from Illegal poaching

The directorial report of the committee

Chitwan MUN Edition IV organized by YTS Chitwan was a successful event with four committees held on 16-18 January. UNEP committee had 26 delegates representing their respective countries speaking on the topic “Conservation of endangered wild species from illegal poaching.” In this three days long event, altogether 31 motions were raised by different delegates among which only 7 motions were failed while remaining other motions were successfully passed. Altogether 14 motions were raised in moderated caucus among which 4 motions failed. The remaining 10 motions were passed by the majority by voting procedure.

On the first day, General Speakers’ List started after the roll call. About 7 participants gave their GSL speech and moderated caucus began on the topic ‘Causes of illegal poaching’ raised by delegate of Russia for 45 minutes. Similarly, the committee also discussed the problems created by illegal poaching and the steps of the government for conservation of endangered species. On the first day only, the delegates were set to come toward the solution for poaching. So, on the second day, we dias members discussed and suggested the delegates about the different aspects of poaching like the role of black markets in poaching and the impacts of poaching on environment and biodiversity. The delegates discussed these topics on the second day. The effects of poaching on SDGs had also been discussed. A crisis was also created on the committee about the extinction of koalas during the bushfire and the poachers of Sudanese origin were seen on the Australian airports and they were captivated by Australian officers in quarantine checkposts of Australia. The delegates of Australia and Sudan discussed it very well. The two dias members were also participated on the committee as acting delegates to make the committee exciting. Finally, a single resolution was prepared by the delegates and the active members were the delegates of Australia, UK, USA, Germany and New Zealand. The resolution was unanimously passed. The awards for best delegate, best strategist and best position paper were won by the delegates of Australia, USA and UK respectively. The committee was very exciting and the delegates were also very interactive and we are sure this committee has helped them to promote their public speaking, diplomacy and debating skills.

The draft resolution that passed was;

Resolution 1.1

Agenda: Conservation of Endangered species from Illegal poaching

Sponsors: UNITED KINGDOM, AUSTRALIA, USA

Signatories:  Mali, China, Russia, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Philippines, Finland, Ethiopia, India, Botswana, Indonesia, Congo, Pakistan, Belarus, Bangladesh, New Zealand, Nepal, Mexico, Germany, Central African Republic, Denmark, South Africa

The United Nation Environment Programme,

Considering the emerging effects of poaching around the world,

Recalling the resolution of 69/314 of 30th July, 2015, in which it discussed and amended productive and sustainable solutions of tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife,

Reviewing also Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of wildlife flora and fauna (CITES) of 3rd march 1973 and Conservation of cultural and natural heritage of 26th November 1972, Rio Declaration 1992, Sustainable Development Agenda 2015,

Taking into consideration the poaching of endangered species across countries at such alarming rates which can lead to extinction of a particular species disrupting the food chain and resulting in new adaptation in animals beyond human control,impacts on the economy, ecosystem, sustainable development,

Noting with deep concern the traditional beliefs of culture and religion are acting as a reason for people to promote poaching towards respective species,

Having considered also the lack of the capacity of handling more violent poachers armed with weapons and organized criminal organization is one of the biggest influencer of poaching,

Recalling factors such as sudden climate change results in decreasing the comfort zone of species thus forcing them towards extinction,

1. Encourages all member states to collaborate more closely towards the afforestation through strict legislation;

2. Calls upon all the states to adopt the approaches and models that help in the achievement of sustainable development goals by 2030,

     a) Realize the need to protect the flora and fauna for our future generations    by combating against poaching and illegal wildlife trade;

3. Encourage the use of modern tools and technologies like Drones, sound Tracking, remote microphones, GPS tracking and remote access;

4. Declares accordingly involvement of local communities as a powerful and productive measure to reduce poaching and encourage tourism on the basis of revenue sharing by 25% ;

5. Recommends the security council for the Establishment of International Environmental court to investigate, prosecute and try individuals accused of committing the crime relating to environment as illegal poaching globally;

         a. where the poachers cannot be investigated domestically,

            b.where the domestic remedies exhaust,

            c.where the particular state fails to address,

6. Recommends the countries to increase the number of population of endangered species  by 5% every 3 years;

7. Approves strengthening of security at the border and establishment of check post at regular intervals as a powerful objective which can enhance the protection of endangered species;

8. Requests the preservation of DNA for recovering their loss in case of their extinction;

9. Requests  the countries to reduce the production of goods which uses  animal extract in its composition and replace the previous goods with new sustainable alternatives.