United Nations Security Council

Topic: The Cypriot-Turkish Conflict

In the 1960s the multiethnic Cyprus’s Turkish community went through a degradation of its rights. In 1974, following the Greek junta’s unsuccessful coup d’état Turkish troops invaded northern Cyprus, saying that the civil rights of Turkish Cypriots were not guaranteed, therefore they needed protection by the Turkish state. In the 1970s the UN was struggling to find a solution to the island’s issue, but all the efforts were unsuccessful. In the early 80s the UN SG took an active role in the mitigation process, but the Turks, seeing that Greek Cypriots can not possibly imagine the recognition of their sovereignty, formed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which is only recognised by Turkey. The situation has not changed much since that. However, this instability must be curbed if the goal of global economic prosperity and peace is to be met. This year’s UNSC will meet to tackle the challenges of the current state of security in this region and to reassess the role of security within the scope of climate change.

United Nations Development Programme

Topic: Reevaluation of UNDP Supported Projects for the New Decade

The United Nations Development Programme is amongst the most ambitious endeavours humanity has ever undertaken to face the most difficult of past, present and future challenges. As the world’s largest development network, the UNDP aims to create a more sustainable and a more liveable world through cooperative investment. What sets it apart from all others in its category, is the utilization of global support to aid local incentives. Thus, our organization connects potential donors to worthy projects, seeking to create a more sustainable planet and society. However, with the number of UNDP Supported Projects exceeding 4400, it is crucial to take a step back, and question the decisions of the past.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization

Topic: Tackling Multidimensional and Multilevel Security Threats in the Arctic

The Arctic has been at the centre of the strategic competition since the Cold War. Five of the Arctic Council’s eight members are also part of NATO – Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and the United States. Among NATO Allies the conflicting views about Russia’s intentions in the Arctic coupled with an increased military presence in the region have been indicating a trend foreshadowing the next arms race and the primacy of the law of force. With the recent entry of China into the Arctic race and states pursuing economic and security interests in the region, the current tenuous stability of the region is at risk. The increasing human activity in the region, mainly driven by climate change and, subsequently, the Arctic’s growing role in the global economy could produce tensions similar to those created by the regional strategic confrontation of the Cold War. The rapidly changing environment and the increasing threat of territorial or armed disputes are calling for more direct intervention. The burning question is whether NATO can come up with a unified solution that will be able to tackle the multidimensional and multilevel threats in the region and restore its peaceful stability.  

International Chamber of Commerce

Topic: Reducing the Threat of Maritime Piracy and Armed Robbery

In 2020, there have been 132 armed pirate attacks against ships. This is not a new phenomenon: maritime piracy has been a burning issue for businesses for years with 200 assaults in a year on average. The most piracy ridden areas include West Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, East Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Maritime assaults not only threaten the safety and security of seafarers, but also harm the health and investments of the consumers, and halts the business community in managing their trade.  The International Chamber of Commerce is adamant in fighting maritime piracy in cooperation with its chief reporting agency, the International Maritime Bureau Reporting Centre but a firm and extensive solution is yet to be made. This year the representatives of business organizations will have the chance to work together to resolve this issue in our online chamber.

International Maritime Organization

Topic: Fighting Modern Day Piracy to Preserve Maritime Security

The International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations which is responsible for measures to improve the safety and security of international shipping. The aim of IMO is to ensure that international treaties and other legislation concerning safety and marine pollution prevention are properly implemented by the countries that have accepted them. Maritime security is an integral part of IMO’s responsibilities, since modern day piracy poses many challenges for nations in regions like West Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America, East Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. According to some estimates, pirate attacks have increased by a whopping 75% in the last decade alone. This year’s IMO will focus on enhancing maritime security in order to counter piracy, armed robbery against ships and other illicit activities and to support the development of a sustainable maritime sector.

Economic and Social Council

Topic: Mitigating the Effects of Water Scarcity and Water Dependency in Southeast Asia

As one of the main organs of the UN, ECOSOC is the principal body for coordination, policy review and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as for implementation of the internationally agreed development goals. Water scarcity is a crucial problem to be addressed by the international community in the 21st Century. In these days, 844 million people lack basic drinking water access, this number will only increase in the upcoming decades, as it already affects every continent now. By 2050 more than 5 billion people could suffer water shortages due to climate change, increased demand and polluted supplies. The international community has to act now to address water-related challenges in time, as these challenges may lead to humanitarian, environmental, agricultural and economic crises, geopolitical tensions, or even war.

International Court of Justice

Topic: Alleged Violations of Sovereign Rights and Maritime Spaces in the Caribbean Sea

As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations- as well as one of the most important institutions in international law- the International Court of Justice, through the work of 15 judges chosen from the most respected legal experts around the world, settles the greatest legal disputes in international relations. The Court may entertain two types of cases: legal disputes between States submitted to it by them, and requests for advisory opinions on legal questions referred to by United Nations organs and specialized agencies. 

This year’s ICJ will tackle the case on the ‘Alleged Violations of Sovereign Rights and Maritime Spaces in the Caribbean Sea’. In 2001, the Republic of Nicaragua filed an Application instituting proceedings against the Republic of Colombia. The source of  the conflict lies in territory and maritime delimitation of the area between the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal which is important to both Nicaragua and Columbia for strategic and symbolic reasons as it plays into energy, security issues as well as domestic and regional politics. 

Food and Agriculture Organization

Topic: Coastal Fisheries Initiative – Promoting Sustainable Fishing in Coastal Areas

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. This year’s FAO will address the Coastal Fisheries Initiative of FAO. Coastal fisheries have a crucial role in society, they are vital to millions of people, providing healthy food, supporting livelihoods and generating revenues for local communities and national economies. Yet, they put growing pressure on the marine environment, endangering aquatic species and threatening ecosystems. The Coastal Fisheries Initiative was developed to promote more sustainable use and management of this sector. However, the initiative can have devastating impacts for small-scale fisher folk in the targeted countries and regions

  Diplomatic Corps

Lead, Lobby, Coordinate

The Diplomatic Corps (DC) is one of two “Corps” categorised chambers at Munapest 2021 first introduced in 2019. The designation of the DC is to simulate an artificially established body which consists of delegates with the sole purpose of supporting their states’ representatives in bringing out the most of their work and fill-in on spots where representation might be lacking. The Corps, therefore, serves a linkage between each Chamber and each Delegation. Their main task as the Head Delegate is developing a general approach to the conference, lobbying with other representatives and drafting treaties. Working from the shadows, as a Diplomatic Corps member you will have the opportunity to pull the strings behind the shadows and coordinate the policy of your chosen country across multiple chambers.

  Press Corps

Observe, Report, Criticise

The Press Corps is one of two “Corps” categorised chambers at Munapest 2021. The role of media and news agencies have probably never been this important before, the way they present situations and the topics can affect the moves diplomats and politicians will make in the future. The Press Corps will, by its very nature, not have a separate topic. As a member of the Press Corps, you will gain a general understanding of individual chambers and serve the purpose of the News Agency itself. Reporters in the Press Corps will have the chance to report, evaluate, criticize, give an opinion or even bend the truth a little about the progress of Munapest, its countries action and chamber decisions.