Model United Nations 2022 Fall Committees

*Note: Resolutions should not exceed one page in length with a maximum of 5 operative clauses

• Security Council

  The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is headed by Taylor Heckart.

  The UNSC holds the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security by addressing any threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression. It executes these duties through enacting peacekeeping operations, imposing sanctions, and implementing international regulations on armaments and the use of force. Security Council resolutions often deal with breaches of international peace or severe human rights abuses, as well as matters relating broadly to transregional stability and accountability. As the only UN body with the ability to violate national sovereignty through peacekeeping and sanctions, it has unique powers of enforcement in this regard.

  The UNSC also has a unique membership structure, which includes only 15 nations: 5 permanent members with the right to veto any Security Council resolution, and 10 rotating members selected broadly from the members of the General Assembly on two-year shifts. The Permanent Members (P-5 Nations) are the People’s Republic of China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States of America. This year, Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Niger, South Africa, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, and Vietnam hold temporary seats.

  References

  • United Nations Security Council News
  • Security Council Report and especially this excellent article on initial SC proceedings relating to COVID
  • New York Times: Security Council
  • Euronews: Security Council
  • Economist: United Nations Security Council
  • United Nations: UN Charter (full text)
  • Introduction to the Work of the Security Council (PDF)
  • Best Delegate: Model United Nations Resources
  • Best Delegate: Five Tips on How to Succeed in the Security Council
  • Salvaging the UNSC’s COVID Response
  • China’s Use of Vaccines as Global Political Capital
  • Security Council Report: New Dynamics After the 2020 Elections
  • https://www.reuters.com/
  • https://apnews.com/

  Example Resolutions: 

  • A Solution for the Scourge of Terrorism and Middle East Collusion
  • Authorization of United Nations Operations in Somalia III (UNOSOM III)
  • A Resolution Calling for Peacekeepers to be Sent to the Mexican – American Border
  • A Resolution Calling for Safe Leave
  • Remedying the Kerch Strait Incident
• United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII)

  The United Nations Permenant Forum on Indigenous Peoples is headed by Katie Scoggin and Caleb Yabes.

  Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, Indigenous peoples from around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.

  Indigenous peoples have sought recognition of their identities, way of life, and their rights to traditional lands, territories and natural resources for years, yet throughout history, their rights have always been violated. Indigenous peoples today are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect their rights and maintain their distinct cultures and ways of life, and the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues provides a venue for conversations about the needs of Indigenous people to take place within.

  Nation-states/indigenous peoples: 
  

  • United States - Yup’ik [Yu-pik]
    
  • Russian Federation - Yukaghir [Yu-ka-gir]
    
  • Canada - Inuit [In-u-it]
    
  • Australia - Wiradjuri [wee-rah-joor-ee]
    
  • India - Baiga Tribe [Bai-ga]
    
  • Peru - Quechua [Keh-chuh-wa]*
    
  • Tanzania - Hadzabe Tribe [Had-za-be]
    
  • Nepal - Tharu People [Ta-ru]
    

  *Quechua People can be found in Colombia/Ecuador/Bolivia etc., but Peru is the most populated.

  References

  Delegates to the Model UNPFII are encouraged to explore the current and historic relationships between their specific Indigenous groups and corresponding member nations, and how they relate to the conference topic, in order to give context to the work of the committee.

  • United Nations: Department of Economic and Social Affairs (Indigenous Peoples)

  • IWGIA: https://www.iwgia.org/en/

  • Cultural Survival: https://www.culturalsurvival.org/

  • World Bank: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/indigenouspeoples

  Advice for delegates:

  Each government has its own policies that relate to Indigenous groups, and each Indigenous group has a unique relationship with its government. This is a unique committee to participate in, and you will best be served by researching the relationships relevant to your assignment. This will allow you to best represent your assignment’s point of view while working in committee. We are happy to help you find resources, but googling will provide you with excellent resources. Whether you are an Indigenous representative or a Member State, please look for resources that reflect both of those perspectives so that you understand the whole relationship. 

• Arctic Council (AC)

  The Arctic Council is headed by Emma Mullet and Jiale Turner.

  Formally established in 1996, the Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum that aims to address issues faced by Arctic communities and the Indigenous peoples living in the Arctic.  The Arctic Council focuses on issues related to the sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic, Arctic shipping, and climate change related matters.  An international forum used to discuss areas of collaboration, the Arctic Council is composed of eight Arctic States, six permanent Indigenious participants, six working groups, and various observers.  At UAA, the Model Arctic Council will be governed by two co-chairs, with representatives from Arctic States and Indigenous permanent participants participating in a working group to reach consensus on issues around the  Arctic marine environment. 

  One of the subcommittees of the Arctic Council is the working group for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment. PAME addresses policy measures that are responsive to environmental changes and land and sea-based activities. The work of PAME focuses largely on the thematic areas of Arctic Shipping, Marine Protected Areas, Exploration and Development, Ecosystem Management, and Arctic Marine Pollution. To address these areas, PAME focuses on achieving consensus development of strategic plans, guidelines, and assessments that work well within existing legal frameworks aimed at preservation of the Arctic marine environment. The chairmanship of PAME rotates every three years between Arctic Council member states, and is currently chaired by the representative from Sweden. 
  

  References

  • About the Arctic Council
  • Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment 
  • Discovering the Arctic 
  • Establishment of the Arctic Council
  • What is the Arctic Council and what does it want?
  • About PAME

  • UN Environment Programme: Arctic Region

  Sustainable development in the Arctic Marine Environment

  • As sea ice melts, access to untapped resources becomes possible. 
  • How do we shape international norms around potential pollution? Oil spills, mining run-off?
  • How do we establish who has claim to previously frozen territory?
  • Voices of Indigenous residents. 

  Resources relating to sustainable development in the Arctic Marine Environment 

  • Cooperation for a Sustainable Arctic Ocean
  • What’s Next For Sustainable Development?
  • UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs: "Challenges and Opportunities for Indigenous Peoples' Sustainablility
  • Sustainable Development in the Arctic: SDGs and the Role of the Arctic Council
  • Arctic States Reaffirm Commitment to Sustainable Development of Arctic Ecosystems and People
  • Rising Temperatures and Rising Tensions: Climate Change and Geopolitics in the Arctic

   Shipping lane customs and best practices

  • Are Arctic waters international waterways or sovereign waterways?
  • How can we regulate marine traffic? 
  • How do we approach remediation after pollutive events?
  • Where are military ships and ports reasonable? How do we balance commercial interests with military interests?

  Resources about Arctic shipping lanes

  • PAME: Arctic Marine Shipping
  • Navigating the Future of Arctic Shipping
  • Geopolitical Implications of New Arctic Shipping Lanes
  • Take the Arctic Corporate Shipping Pledge
  • NOAA: Arctic Shipping Issues
  • WWF: Shipping in the Arctic
  • The Geography of Transport Systems: Polar Shipping Routes
  • Arctic Shipping Routes, the New Suez Canal?
  • Melting Arctic Ice Pits Russia Against U.S. and China for Control of New Shipping Route

  • Economic and environmental impacts of Arctic shipping: A probabilistic approach

  Canada

  • Canada's Arctic and Northern Policy
  • Protecting Canada’s Arctic Interests – Canada’s Losing Battle (2020)
  • It’s time for Canada to show leadership in the Arctic

  The Kingdom of Denmark

  • The Arctic Institute: Kingdom of Denmark
  • Kingdom of Denmark Strategy for the Arctic 2011–2020
  • Greenland’s more prominent role on Arctic Council important signal to int’l community says foreign minister

   

  Iceland

  • Release of the 2021 Arctic Council Joint Declaration and Strategic Plan in Reykjavik, Iceland
  • Arctic Council Foreign Ministers Sign the Reykjavik Declaration, Adopt the Council's First Strategic Plan and Pass the Chairmanship from Iceland to the Russian Federation
  • Recap of the Arctic Council’s Ministerial Meeting 2021 in Reykjavik

  Norway

  • The Norwegian Government's Arctic Policy
  • What is the Point of Norway’s new Arctic Policy?

   

  Finland

  • Finland's New Strategy for Arctic Policy
  • Arctic Finland

  Russian Federation

  • Russian Policy in the Arctic: International Aspects
  • Foundations of the Russian Federation State Policy in the Arctic for the Period up to 2035
  • Analysis and improvement of the directions of strategic regulation of the process of ensuring the security of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation

  Sweden

  • Sweden’s New Arctic Strategy: Change and Continuity in the Face of Rising Global Uncertainty

  United States

  • Arctic Region
  • Changes in the Arctic: Backgroundand Issues for Congress
  • U.S. Arctic Interests

  Sustainable Arctic Tourism

  • What can we learn from Venice? How do we preserve this resource for future generations?
  • Limitation of cruise ships. How many and when? Impact on marine mammal habitat.
  • Limitation of tourist access.
  • Indigenous perspectives on tourism.

   

  Product: Consensus statement

  Model Arctic Council Delegate Information Sheet

  This year’s Model Arctic Council will emulate the work of the working group for the Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment. The specific topics that we will take up at this year’s Council are:

  Sustainable development in the Arctic Marine Environment

  • As sea ice melts, access to untapped resources becomes possible. 
  • How do we shape international norms around potential pollution? Oil spills, mining run-off?
  • How do we establish who has claim to previously frozen territory?

  • Voices of Indigenous residents. 

  Shipping lane customs and best practices

  • Are Arctic waters international waterways or sovereign waterways?
  • How can we regulate marine traffic? 
  • How do we approach remediation after pollutive events?

  • Where are military ships and ports reasonable? How do we balance commercial interests with military interests?

  Delegates should come prepared to discuss these issues from the perspective of the Arctic State or Indigenous group that they represent. Resources have been made available to help delegates solidify what these views may be. It is important to note that the Arctic Council is a consensus body, and as such, the only proposals that may pass this body must be agreed upon by all Arctic States present. This committee will rely heavily on caucusing and negotiation, with the goal of reaching proposals which are agreeable to all parties. 

  Indigenous representatives should work to influence the conversations that happen between Arctic States to reach outcomes that are friendly or responsive to them. It may serve an Indigenous delegate well to know which Arctic States respect the human rights of Indigenous people, as delegates of those States may be more open to influence. While Indigenous representatives won’t impact the outcome of the consensus vote, they may jointly issue a statement in support of or against the outcome.

  Example Arctic Council Proposals

  Arctic Marine Shipping Proposal

  Sustainable Development Proposal

• International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

  The International Telecommunication Union is headed by Eugene Ye and Mckayla Montgomery.

  Originally founded in 1865, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is now the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies and a major facilitator of international connectivity in communication networks. With a comprehensive focus on key issues such as allocating global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, developing technical standards, and improving access of information and communication technologies to underserved communities worldwide, ITU strives to fulfill its goal to connect all the world’s people wherever they live and whatever their means. ITU’s global membership includes 193 member states as well as over 900 companies, universities, and international and regional organizations. Utilizing such a diverse profile of resources, the ITU seeks to shape the future in an ever changing global community while continuing to further a healthy and sustainable regulatory environment.

  Helpful Resources Links: 

  • ITU Official Website: https://www.itu.int/en/about/Pages/default.aspx
  • ITU Membership Website: https://www.itu.int/hub/membership/
  • ITU Twitter: https://twitter.com/ITU?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
  • MSCI World Communication Services Index: https://www.msci.com/documents/10199/a4ec7b1f-b538-4e2e-8305-80bf110b4084
  • S&P Global 1200 Communication Services: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/indices/equity/sp-global-1200-communication-services-sector/#overview
  • Telecommunications Security Standards (TESS): https://www.wfp.org/telecommunications-security-standards
  • ITU Key Areas of Action
  • https://www.itu.int/en/action/Pages/default.aspx
  • Importance of ITU
  • https://www.csis.org/analysis/international-telecommunication-union-most-important-un-agency-you-have-never-heard
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

  The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is headed by Jac Norvell-Moomaugh and Savannah Melendez. 

  Originally established as the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) in 1950, the committee was formed for a three-year period to assist displaced Europeans after the Second World War. Ever-present international conflict, however, extended the need for the committee. Since then, the UNHCR has been working to provide humanitarian aid to the world’s most vulnerable. The primary goal is to aid those seeking asylum from generalized violence, armed conflict, and/or human rights violations. The organization works on the ground alongside humanitarian organizations to provide emergency assistance such as food, water, healthcare, shelter, etc. 2020 marked UNHCR’s 70th anniversary.
  

  Helpful Resources Links:

  • https://www.unhcr.org/en-us/

  • https://www.unrefugees.org/

  • https://ijrcenter.org/refugee-law/

  • https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/refugees-asylum-seekers-and-migrants/