Global Model United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Held

 

in Republic of Korea, Closes with Adoption of Eight Resolutions

 

INCHEON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, 15 August — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged young people from more than 60 countries attending the third annual Global Model United Nations Conference to stay united in their resolve to continue the work of the Organization.  The Conference, organized by the Department of Public Information and hosted by the Metropolitan City of Incheon and the United Nations Association of the Republic of Korea, took place in the city of Incheon from 10 to 14 August.

The Secretary-General said “technology offers solutions”, but “I prefer to put my faith in people […] young people in particular”.  He went on to say that “the world must take into account your voices”, and he asked the delegates assembled to “please keep working with us, pushing us and inspiring us”.

The appearance of the United Nations Secretary-General “was a thrill for the young people who attended the Conference.  He received a standing ovation and numerous rounds of applause from delegates,” said the President of the General Assembly of the Global Model United Nations Conference, Dongyeop Lee from the Republic of Korea.  Global Model UN 2011 Secretary-General, Tatiana Makarova from the Russian Federation, said: “He was like a rock star to the delegates.”  Oliver Pase, the student who took on the role of Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, said it was an unprecedented honour for the Global Model UN and an experience no delegate will forget.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Kiyo Akasaka, also addressed the gathering and explained the importance of model conferences, such as the Global Model UN, in providing young individuals with the chance to meet with and befriend like-minded individuals from around the globe.  At the closing ceremony, Mr. Akasaka stressed that the world’s problems were many, including poverty, hunger, deprivation of human rights, disease and climate change.  He said that “these problems will not go away and be resolved in the next 10 or 20 years.  They will soon come to your shoulders as your own burdens to deal with.  We hope that you have been inspired and motivated by this experience to do more to make a difference for a better world.”

During the Conference, the theme “Sustainable Development: Advancing Human Progress in Harmony with Nature” was discussed in four committees.  In the closing plenary of the four-day Conference, the Global Model General Assembly adopted eight resolutions, one by consensus and the other seven by overwhelming majorities.  The resolutions addressed nuclear security and safety for sustainable development; the impact of armed conflict on sustainable development; improving market conditions in favour of alternative energy towards a green economy; ensuring global food security through sustainable agriculture; gender and sustainable development; education for sustainable development; renewing international political commitment towards the environment; and environmental refugees.

In the course of the Conference, delegates were treated to a taste of Korean culture through traditional dance and drumming performances, classical music by a Korean youth orchestra and renowned pianist, as well as music by other Korean youth.

The text of the resolutions and the photographs of the Conference will be posted on the Conference website at www.un.org/gmun and on the Global Model United Nations Facebook page.  For more information, please contact Yvonne Acosta, Chief, Education Outreach, tel: +1 212 963 7214, e-mail: acostay@un.org; or Bill Yotive, Manager, Global Teaching and Learning Project, tel: +1 212 963 1400, e-mail:  yotive@un.org.

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For information media • not an official record