Agenda Topics MUN2027
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General Assembly (GA)
General Assembly (GA1)
Cyber Scam Compounds
Across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines, criminal groups have created compounds where trafficked workers are forced to participate in various schemes intended to defraud victims around the world. A February 2026 report by the UN Human Rights Office estimated that at least 300,000 people from 66 countries have been trafficked into these operations, generating around $43.8 billion annually in the countries listed above alone. Despite law enforcement raids that freed around 7,000 people along the Thailand-Myanmar border in early 2025, the UN has labeled many governmental operations as largely "performative”. What kinds of protections can be put in place to prevent the trafficking of these individuals, and how can the victims of fraud be protected or recompensed?
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General Assembly (GA2)
Protection and Security in International Waters:
As global conflicts have continued to develop, targets in International Waters have inevitably become larger targets for both militaries and paramilitary groups. Several situations have developed in recent years that call into question the effectiveness of the current maritime laws. Examples such as Ukrainian strikes on Russian “shadow fleet” oil tankers, the American military’s targeting of supposed "narcotics boats” in the Gulf of Mexico, or the torpedoing and sinking of the IRIS Dina by an American submarine. These incidents have exposed both a need to update maritime law surrounding security and protection, as well as a need to enforce these laws more effectively and persistently. How can the UN aid in updating and redefining maritime security laws and ensuring the new laws are in the best interests of every country, not just those with a large militarized maritime presence or a large shipping industry?
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Global Security (1A, 1B, 1C, 1d)
The Rise of Online Criminal Marketplaces
Online criminal marketplaces are hidden or semi-hidden platforms, often operating on the dark web, where illegal goods and services such as drugs, weapons, stolen data, and hacking tools are bought and sold with a degree of anonymity. These marketplaces have grown rapidly alongside advances in encryption, cryptocurrency, and anonymous browsing technology, making it harder for law enforcement to trace transactions back to real individuals. Shutting these platforms down would cut off a major channel for trafficking illegal goods and funding organized crime and, in some cases, terrorism. However, the same encryption and privacy tools that make these marketplaces hard to police also protect legitimate users, such as journalists, activists, and everyday citizens, who rely on them for personal security and free expression. Additionally, shutting down one marketplace often just pushes sellers and buyers to a new one, since the underlying technology enabling them isn't going away. What can the U.N. do to disrupt online criminal marketplaces without undermining legitimate digital privacy and security? What sustainability practices and regulations could the U.N. implement to help member states track and prosecute this kind of crime across borders?
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Deepfakes and Synthetic Medias in International Conflict
From fabricated combat footage and falsified diplomatic communications in the Russo-Ukrainian war to the flood of AI-generated content that dominated the 2026 Iran-US-Israel conflict, synthetic media has become a weapon in its own right: capable of inciting panic, discrediting leaders, and manipulating public perception faster than it can be verified or debunked. Generative AI tools can now produce photorealistic videos in minutes, while detection and attribution methods remain slow, and often unable to keep pace, leaving militaries, civilians, and policymakers dangerously exposed to psychological manipulation during moments of crisis. With no binding international framework governing the creation or use of deepfakes in conflict, and nations like India and the US only beginning to legislate at the domestic level, the international community faces a widening gap between technological capability and accountability. How can the UN establish enforceable standards for identifying and countering weaponized synthetic media? How can it hold state and non-state actors accountable for deepfake-driven disinformation campaigns during active conflict? How can it protect information integrity without infringing on free expression or being outpaced by the technology itself?
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Missile Capable Civilian Naval Vessels:
The use of concealed weaponry mounted to civilian naval vessels fell out of favor with major powers after the end of World War Two, but has recently made a resurgence using modern technology. The nations of China and Israel have both been experimenting and as of recently implementing long range missile systems and electromagnetic drone launchers concealed in standard shipping containers carried by small to medium size cargo vessels. This quickly raised questions about how widespread this tactic is. If it were to become prevalent, it could set a dangerous precedent for the targeting of civilian cargo vessels operating in contested areas such as the South China Sea or the Red Sea. How can the UN control the implementation and use of these systems, and ensure that global shipping traffic operates within areas of international tensions?
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Quantum Computing as a Tool for Cyber Warfare
As technology continues to advance, quantum computing has emerged as both a major opportunity and a potential threat to international cybersecurity. Unlike traditional computers, sufficiently powerful quantum computers could decrypt information protected by many of the encryption systems currently used to secure government communications, financial systems, healthcare records, and critical infrastructure. This has led to concerns over a “harvest now, decrypt later” strategy, where attackers collect encrypted information today with the intention of decrypting it once quantum computers become powerful enough. A successful quantum-enabled cyberattack could therefore expose sensitive information and disrupt critical infrastructure on a scale far beyond many current cyberattacks. In response, countries and organizations have begun developing post-quantum cryptography, or encryption designed to remain secure against quantum computers. However, transitioning global digital infrastructure to these new systems could take years and requires significant international cooperation. The issue is further complicated due to the groundbreaking potential of quantum computers in non military fields. How can the UN safeguard against quantum decryption attacks while accounting for the incredible potential of this technology? How can the UN prevent a quantum arms race while ensuring developing countries can benefit from this technology?
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Quarantine Protocols
In 2026, an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo faced violent backlash when infected patients were forcibly quarantined. Controversy arose when there was a question of what to do with a cruise ship with passengers who were infected with a Hantavirus. Viruses such as Ebola and Hantavirus have the potential to be even more devastating than the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the strongest defenses against pandemics is quarantine, however, what should be done if patients do not want to be quarantined? Should the rights of the individual be sacrificed for the security of the collective? Can a nation with stricter quarantine policies demand the same from nations without policies? What kinds of protocols can be put in place and agreed upon to ensure the safety of the global population while preserving the dignity of those who have been infected? Can an international quarantine policy prevent conflict between nations?
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Global Economy (2A, 2b, 2c)
Fossil Fuel Instability
With the world still heavily dependent on fossil fuels as an energy source, conflicts and instability in energy-producing areas have consequences far well beyond the region. The ongoing Iran War has severely disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which roughly 20% of global oil shipments previously passed. At the same time, Houthi attacks and threats against shipping in the Red Sea have forced tankers to avoid important trade routes, further disrupting energy supplies and prices. These regional conflicts have caused the price of oil to skyrocket to over 100 dollars a barrel. The problem of oil instability is not new either. Consider the Gulf War, the Libyan Civil War, and recently the Russo Ukrainian War. These conflicts raise fuel prices, boost inflation, and disproportionately affect countries dependent on energy importation. How can the UN lower dependency on unstable fossil fuel markets and promote energy independence? How can the UN help stabilize oil markets and prevent further spikes due to conflict?
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Semiconductor Supply Chain
Semiconductors are essential components of modern technology, powering everything from computers to automobiles, medical equipment, and critical infrastructure. Although they are used worldwide, semiconductor manufacturing is highly concentrated in a small number of countries, with Taiwan producing around 60% of all chips and 90% of the most advanced variety. Taiwan’s strategic importance to the global semiconductor industry has become increasingly concerning as tensions between Taiwan and China continue to grow. In response, countries such as the United States have invested heavily in expanding domestic semiconductor manufacturing. However, building new manufacturing facilities is costly, potentially creating further inequalities between wealthy and less developed countries. How can the United Nations promote a stable and resilient global semiconductor supply chain while addressing tensions surrounding Taiwan? How can the UN support the expansion of semiconductor manufacturing in other countries, and ensure that developed and developing nations alike have reliable access to semiconductors?
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Brain Drain Crisis
At devastating rates, highly educated workers, specifically doctors, engineers, nurses, and teachers, are emigrating from developing nations to wealthier nations. For instance, Sub Saharan Africa loses around 70,000- workers annually, with several countries having more of their trained doctors practicing abroad than they have domestically. This phenomenon is furthered by wealthy nations recruiting this talent through preferential visa systems, targeted immigration pathways, and salary differentials developing nations simply can’t match. Beyond healthcare and education, brain drain hollows out civil society, weakens governance, and reduces the domestic tax base, compounding every other development challenge a country faces. Should wealthy nations that benefit from the brain drain bear a legal or financial obligation to source countries? How can the UN facilitate agreements between sending and receiving nations while balancing the individual freedom of movement?
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The Diversification Gap in Developing Economies
Many of the world's developing economies have built their growth around a single industry and the issues in that have now grown impossible to ignore. Sectors including AI infrastructure, semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy-transition technologies accounted for 44% of global greenfield investment in 2025, up from just 16% in 2020, with the top three investor economies accounting for 72% of global greenfield project values, leaving most developing nations shut out entirely from the industries that will drive future growth. The main problem at hand is that countries exporting mainly raw materials risk missing the broader benefits of global trade and without more efforts to diversify and add value, countries risk squandering opportunities to translate raw material wealth into means of sustainable growth. Meanwhile, services trade is surging, but in the poorest countries only 16% of services exports are digitally delivered, compared to over 60% in advanced economies, and the gap is actively widening. UNCTAD has prompted nations to pursue new development paths targeted on economic diversification, moving away from the traditional manufacturing-led export models, while also warning that commodity-dependent economies face higher vulnerability as prices continue to be unstable and external shocks grow more and more frequent. How can the UN help developing nations build the infrastructure and the institutional capacity needed to diversify beyond single-commodity or single-industry economies? What should wealthy nations and international financial institutions do in order to make sure that developing countries aren't locked out of the strategic industries now attracting the majority of global investment?
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Debt-Trap Diplomacy
For decades, developed countries have been offering debt to developing countries in order to assist with their economic growth while also building strong commercial and diplomatic connections. While this can be seen as a magnanimous offer from developed countries, some view this relationship as predatory, with the lending nation having outsized influence on the policies of the debtor nation. Should a nation default on their debt, it can lead to the collapse of their banking system and, potentially, the lending nation taking control of resources within the debtor nation. Nigeria has faced inflation and instability for years, and its current financial situation does not bode well for its economy. In 2026, Nigeria is expected to utilize 45% of its federal revenue just to service its debts. How can the UN ensure that the lending practices between nations leads to prosperity instead of exploitation? What kinds of agreements can be established so that the process is beneficial for all parties involved?
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Human Rights (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d)
Criminalization of Political Dissent
As detailed in Articles 19 and 20 of the UDHR (Universal Declaration of Human Rights), the right to political participation and freedom of expression are fundamental and guaranteed protections. However, governments around the world consistently and continually dismantle these rights through systemic restrictions. Laws that criminalize protest, impose fines on organizers, and prosecute journalists and academics are often framed as anti-terrorism measures, public order statutes, and sedition codes, discreetly undermining international frameworks by posing as legitimate domestic governance. This issue is pervasive across the global north and global south, meaning attempts at international regulation are often blocked by the powerful nations who are often primary violators. How can the UN strengthen enforcement mechanisms for political participation when states responsible for suppression also decide accountability? How should international law distinguish between legitimate national security legislation and the weaponization of law against peaceful dissent?
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Human Rights Obligations of Multinational Corporations
Although multinational corporations generate more combined revenue than the GDP of many developing nations, they operate under essentially no binding international human rights obligations. The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which were adopted in 2011 as the primary international standard for corporate conduct, remain entirely voluntary and largely unenforced, allowing corporations to operate with little regard for the communities they affect. From forced community displacement of indigenous communities to exploitation of workers through global supply chains, numerous corporations strategically subsidiary structures to evade accountability and consequence. How can the UN develop a binding international framework that holds multinational corporations accountable for displacement and labor abuses? What mechanisms can give affected communities and workers meaningful legal recourse against corporations headquartered in foreign jurisdictions?
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Religious Persecution
Religious persecution can take many forms, some more extreme than others. Among the several ongoing genocides taking place around the world currently, several of them are religious genocides such as the Rohingya Genocide in Myanmar. There is also ongoing religious persecution in areas of conflict, such as in Sudan, and areas of relative peace such as the Falun Gong Persecution taking place in China. Regardless of the circumstances, religious groups deserve to practice their faith peacefully, even if not recognized by the country they call home. More safeguards and guidelines are required to protect vulnerable religious groups suffering adverse circumstances. How can the UN protect religious groups while also respecting the autonomy of individual countries? What preventative measures can be put in place to stop religious persecution before it causes harm?
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Global Orphan Crisis
Tens of millions of children worldwide are growing up without the care of one or both parents due to disease, poverty, armed conflict, and natural disaster. Many of these children end up in overcrowded institutions rather than family-based care, even though research shows that raising a child within a family or community setting is both cheaper and healthier for the child's long-term development than institutional care. However, in devastated regions, orphanages often serve as an essential safety net, and removing that option too quickly, without another system in place, could leave vulnerable children with nowhere to go. Additionally, ongoing conflicts and disasters continue to create new orphans faster than many countries can build sustainable alternatives. What can the U.N. do to reduce dependence on institutional care while making sure no child is left without support during that transition? What sustainability practices and regulations could help strengthen family and community-based care systems worldwide?
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Weaponization of Humanitarian Aid
The withholding of humanitarian aid in combat zones has been used as a tool to both inflict damage on civilian populations, and, according to the Council on Foreign Relations, as a recruitment tool for militant groups. Despite the UN Security Council’s condemnation of the denial of humanitarian assistance in 2018, the Rome Statute of the ICC, and the Geneva Convention, the issue persists in places like Gaza, the Sudan, Ukraine, and Cuba. Some argue the distribution of aid violates the sovereignty of the country in conflict. How can the UN create systems that enforce aid distribution without creating a wider conflict? How can groups and countries that weaponize aid be held accountable?
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Environment (4a, 4b, 4c)
Light pollution and Degradation of Dark Skies
Light pollution is the excessive or misdirected use of artificial outdoor lighting that brightens the night sky and obscures the natural darkness that has existed for most of human history. It comes from streetlights, vehicle headlights, illuminated signage and building lighting, much of which is unshielded and directed upward or outward rather than down toward where it is actually needed. According to a 2016 study published in Science Advances, more than 80 percent of the world’s population lives under artificially brightened skies, and the researchers describe humanity as having created “a luminous fog that prevents most of Earth’s population from having the opportunity to observe our galaxy”("The New World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky Brightness"). Reducing light pollution would help restore access to the night sky, support nocturnal ecosystems that depend on natural darkness to navigate, hunt, and reproduce, and allow astronomical research to continue, without interference from artificial skyglow. However, outdoor lighting also plays a real role in public safety, reducing nighttime accidents, deterring crime, and allowing cities to function economically and socially after dark. Additionally, continued urbanization and population growth mean the demand for outdoor and street lighting is only likely to increase in the coming decades. What can the U.N do to reduce unnecessary light pollution while preserving the safety and economic benefits that outdoor lighting provides? What sustainability practices and regulations, such as lighting ordinances or dark-sky certification programs, could the U.N. help promote globally?
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Harmful Algae Blooms
Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs) are surging across the globe in 2026, from record-setting sargassum belts choking Florida and Caribbean coastlines to severe cyanobacteria outbreaks in Lake Erie in the United States, driven by warming waters and nutrient runoff from agriculture. Beyond fouling beaches and killing marine life, HABs threaten critical infrastructure—clogging desalination and water treatment plants contaminating drinking water—while also poisoning shellfish, sickening swimmers, and devastating coastal economies that depend on fishing and tourism. With blooms spreading through shared rivers, lakes, and coastal waters and growing more frequent as climate change accelerates, how can the UN strengthen early-warning and monitoring systems to detect and respond to blooms before they cause lasting harm? How can it address the nutrient pollution and runoff that fuel these blooms in the first place? And how can the UN balance the economic cost of prevention with the mounting public health and environmental toll of inaction?
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Forever Chemicals
Forever chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a classification of synthetic chemicals widely used for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They are used in anything from nonstick cookware and food packaging to water proof clothing and fire fighting foam. This is an issue because forever chemicals, as the name suggests, do not break down in nature. This has led to contamination in ecosystems across the world leading to unsafe water supplies, soil degradation, and a dangerous build up of PFAS in living organisms. It is estimated that if nothing is done over 4.4 million tonnes of these chemicals could be released into the environment by 2053. Because of this many countries have instituted bans such as Japan who recently banned 138 different forever chemicals. However with thousands of types of PFAS on the market, remediation of these chemicals from the environment being extremely difficult, and the problem only continuing to grow, it becomes relevant to ask: How can the UN ensure global cooperation to reduce the use of forever chemicals, create alternatives, and manage the waste created by those chemicals and products?
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Fertilizer Alternatives
As the global population continues to grow, so too does the demand for food. This has led the agricultural industry to become reliant on chemical fertilizers that will increase crop yield and make harvest more reliable. The drive to increase crop yields has led to a phenomenon known as “over-fertilization”. While this can have positive effects, it has numerous negative effects as well, particularly when seasonal rains cause the excess fertilizer to enter rivers, lakes, and ground water sources. It has also been shown that overuse can harm soil bacteria and contribute to climate change. When nitrogen is used in an excess to what crops can absorb, the unused nitrogen is converted into nitrous-oxide which is released into the environment. Along with problematic effects on the environment, unstable supply chains have led to an increase in fertilizer costs, which in turn causes a rise in food prices. Given the negative impacts on the environment, and the instability of the supply chain, what can the UN do to help countries adapt to alternative fertilizers as opposed to the chemicals that have been used for several decades?
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Urban Expansion
As the global population expands, so does the global demand for housing, public transportation, centers of commerce, and urban areas in general. However, cities damage environments, threaten ecosystems, create pollution, and burn finite resources. The challenge of creating new cities can simultaneously be viewed as an opportunity. How can the UN provide a framework for sustainable urban expansion? How will these new cities provide humans with all of the necessities to grow and thrive, while also coexisting within surrounding ecosystems?
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Health and Human Services (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d)
The Heatstroke Surge
As heatwaves grow to be more severe and begin to appear more frequently, hospitals and emergency departments, particularly in low-resource settings, are struggling to treat the surge of patients suffering from heat stroke and heat exhaustion. During a heatwave in Pakistan, in one Karachi hospital, unprepared healthcare providers initially saw heat stroke mortality rates as high as 24.35% in the first days of a heatwave. Many hospitals still don’t have the necessary cooling infrastructure to treat patients during heatwaves. As climate change pushes more frequent and intense heatwaves worldwide, health systems that are not prepared to clinically manage mass heat casualties will see preventable death numbers rise. What can the U.N. do to help countries develop and standardize protocols for treating heat-related illness, especially in low-resource or rural settings? How can training and resources be laid out to better prepare emergency healthcare workers for heat surges? What can be done to improve medical infrastructure to help all patients avoid heat related complications?
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Fresh Water Parasites
Schistosomiasis is a disease that is caused by parasitic worms (blood flukes) that infest freshwater sources. People can become infected with contact while swimming, drinking, or bathing in infested water. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 250 million people required treatment in 2024, while approximately 14,000 people die from schistosomiasis each year. Infections from schistosomiasis are second only to malaria. How can the United Nations and public health officials prevent the contamination of fresh water sources and increase access to treatment for those most affected?
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Farming Adaptations
As the effects of climate change intensify and with no clear end in sight, the agricultural industry must adjust to what will be considered the new normal. Water sources that used to be readily available are beginning to dry up. Plants that were adapted to moderate climates are now facing more extreme shifts in temperatures, leading to crop failures. In order to keep up with the earth’s growing population, the agricultural industry will need to change its strategies and methods to make sure there are no food shortages. What new techniques, technologies, and strategies can be developed to bring agriculture into the changing environments? How can the UN ensure that the global south will have access to the same new technologies and strategies that can be developed by the wealthier populations?
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Global Health Disinformation
Science has consistently improved health outcomes over time. Even though the success of new medical treatments have been proven in the laboratory as well as in real life, there have been groups that attempt to discredit medical advancements for any number of reasons. Some groups spread disinformation, intentionally false information intended to deceive others, in order to prevent the adoption of these new treatments. Disinformation quickly turns into misinformation, when it is spread but without the intention to deceive. People with religious, political, or financial motivations spread health disinformation which can lead to worsening health outcomes, and even death. Vaccine disinformation has led to thousands of cases of preventable diseases. Homeopathic methods can lead to postponed treatment and worsened outcomes. How can the UN create systems that ensure health information be effectively communicated across the world? How can the global community work together to prevent the spread of disinformation?
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Electronic Waste and Hazardous Chemical Disposal
Electronic waste includes discarded electronic devices such as phones, computers, TVs, and batteries. It is the fastest growing waste stream in the world, and many of these devices contain hazardous materials like mercury, lead, and cadmium, which can leach into soil and water when improperly disposed of. Exposure to these materials have been shown to lead to cancers, neurodevelopmental disorders, and even inhibiting vaccine effectiveness. As people become more reliant on these types of technologies, how can the UN create systems that ensure the proper disposal of electronic waste? How can vulnerable populations be protected against existing waste and be directed towards appropriate treatment?
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Security Council (SC)
Further Militarization of UN Peacekeepers:
The UN Peacekeepers were created to uphold the principles of the UN, and act as a direct method for the UN to multilaterally intervene in international situations. Since its creation however, the Peacekeeper Corp has suffered numerous failures in carrying out its mission, such as in Haiti, Rwanda, or Sudan. That is not to say no success has been seen at all, as several missions have achieved their objectives and been truly beneficial to those seeking aid. A partial success rate is simply not acceptable for the force that acts as the outstretched arms of the UN in areas of conflict and hardship. Further militarization, and an expansion of Peacekeeper resources has been in order for some time. How should those resources be distributed? Who should contribute to them? How can the Peacekeepers remain uninfluenced by the dominant militaries of the world?
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Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Beginning in late 2021 a major conflict has broken out in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo as the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group launched a renewed offensive engaging with the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC). Since then M23 has gained significant ground seizing major cities such as Goma and advancing into South Kivu. The Congolese government has alleged that Rwanda is backing the M23 rebels, an account which is supported by several UN investigations, though Rwanda maintains its actions are motivated by national security concerns and denies backing the group. Meanwhile the FARDC has received support from regional powers such as Burundi, South Africa, and Tanzania, as well as from local pro-government militias called the Wazalendo. As the fighting has escalated over 2000 civilians have been confirmed dead, around 5.8 million of people have been displaced, and regional tensions continue to rise. The conflict has also allowed the problem of a large ebola outbreak with an estimated 1 person dying every 30 minutes and conflict making humanitarian aid difficult. How should the United Nations Security Council address the conflict while protecting civilians, reducing regional tensions, and promoting a lasting political solution?
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Dark Fleets and Maritime Sanction Evasion
In 2025, approximately 3.7 billion barrels of oil accounting for around 17% of global oil trade, were smuggled using dark fleets or “shadow fleets”. More than 80% of all international trade is transported by sea, and many developing nations rely on maritime trade, accounting for around 55% of all seaborne exports and 61% of imports. Grounded in Article 41 of Chapter of the UN Charter the Security council has used its authority to impose 15 sanctions regimes, forcing all UN member states to cease trade under Article 25 of the UN Charter. Despite this, approximately 1,250 vessels avoid operating under international regulation by carrying sanctioned cargo, switching off or manipulating their Automatic Identification System (AIS) or Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) transmissions allowing the vessels to operate without being detected, or use flags of convenience to bypass sanctions from their respective nations. Often, these vessels register and travel through developing nations’ waters, with limited oversight and control, continuing their operations. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) Article 91 and Article 94, all vessels must be flagged to a country with which it maintains a genuine link and the flag state must exercise legal jurisdiction under and control ships flying its flags. Beyond transporting sanctioned oil, these fleets increase maritime accidents and worker exploitation as there is no legitimate way to compensate affected parties. Given the rising prevalence of flags of convenience, how can the UN ensure flag states’ vessels remain compliant with international maritime laws? How can the UN use its preexisting organizations such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to strengthen safety regulations and legal standards?
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Ecuadorian Security Crisis
The Ecuadorian Security Crisis escalated in 2020 following the death of a local drug lord, Jorge Luis Zambrano. By 2023, homicide rates increased from ~8 to ~46 per 100,000 people as several gangs struggled for control over major ports like Guayaquil and territory formerly owned by the drug lord. Starting in 2021, prisons became centers of organized crime and violence making land surrounding prisons targets of territory seizure. Gangs also rely on the ports to transport illegal substances and receive military equipment from Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCO) to further illicit business which harms millions of people worldwide. The Ecuadorian government has been limited in addressing organized crime due to significant systemic corruption, limited resources to address prison conditions, and notable human rights violations such as arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment as a result of aggressive military crackdowns. As cases of alleged bribery, money laundering, and obstruction of justice rise, the people of Ecuador have been subjected to brazen attacks in a worsening economic crisis as poverty rises. With tensions rising between rival gangs, is there a way to limit arms trafficking feeding organized crime violence in Ecuador? How can the UN facilitate humanitarian assistance to the Ecuadorian people impacted by gang violence?
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The Militarization of Outer Space
Space is the new domain where militaries compete, and the treaties that were meant to keep order in outer space were written for a much smaller group of space-faring nations. The 1967 Outer Space Treaty banned weapons of mass destruction from outer space, but it was written only a couple of countries were even able to reach space, and as a result of that it has almost nothing to say about weapons, anti-satellite systems, or the dual-use hardware that does both civilian and military jobs at once. In April 2024 Russia vetoed a U.S.–Japan draft resolution, a second try fell apart weeks later in May, and to this day the Security Council has not managed to come up with a single resolution on space security. The 3 space powers (The United States, China, and Russia) are all working on ways to knock out each other's satellites, with methods including: jamming, lasers, cyberattacks, kinetic anti-satellite missiles. This all happens as each space power insists in public that they oppose weaponizing space. This gap between what these states say and what they actually build is exactly what would make any treaty so hard to enforce. The General Assembly held its first sessions in 2025 and 2026 on a new Open-Ended Working Group on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, but members are still split between wanting a binding treaty or only accepting self-regulatory standards on space militarization. How can the Security Council put limits on anti-satellite weapons when the permanent members are the ones building them? Should the Outer Space Treaty be replaced with something more in touch with modern day space militarization?
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The Kuril Island Dispute
The conflict at hand between Russia and Japan surrounds four small islands: the southern Kuril islands. Russia holds them, Japan claims them, and neither will give an inch, so the question of whose they are has been sitting stalled for generations. In January 2024 Russia's deputy Security Council chairman said that there would be no peace treaty unless the question at hand was closed for good in line with the Russian constitution, meaning the amendment that makes handing over any Russian land illegal. Also, the islands have picked up real military value. Russia started fortifying them in 2015 with surface-to-air missiles and by 2017 had anti-ship missile battalions on the islands closest to Japan. Recently, China dropped its six-decade habit of backing Japan's claim after the Chinese and Russian leaders announced their "no limits" partnership just before the invasion of Ukraine, and they now side with Moscow. How can the Security Council push for a compromise on such a dispute when one side has written compromise out of its own constitution? What should the rest of the world take from this case when it tries to unfreeze other stalled territorial conflicts? And how should the Council handle the militarization of disputed land when there's no active war to point to?
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Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Gender Discriminatory Nationality Laws
Systemic gender discrimination still exists globally, and gender discriminatory nationality laws are one of the most blatant violations. In 50 countries, women have fundamentally different legal abilities as men in nationality acquisition, retaining, or changing of nationality. The difference in legal equality forces many women to remain in abusive marriages to retain citizenship or choose a partner based on their ability to confer nationality. These nationality laws also impact a child. Nationality laws have been cited as a key deterrent from starting a family for some couples as some prevent a woman from conferring their citizenship to their child. Without the ability to confer citizenship, children are denied access to social services and often are forced into enforced marriage in order to secure citizenship. These nationality laws prevent women from being able to live freely and contribute to their community resulting in psychological distress, depression, and anxiety. When a woman’s rights in a marriage becomes unequal, their autonomy is undermined and gender-based violence becomes more likely. While adopting gender-equal nationality laws addressing single legislation, many nations oppose reform due to long standing sexism and xenophobia. How can the UN assist Member States limit existing gender discriminatory laws? How can the UN support women forced to stay in abusive marriages and their children? What can the UN do to ensure children still have access to social services and an education?
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Women In Deportation
Every stage of migration is impacted by gender. Many women are disproportionately impacted by conflicts forcing them to migrate to find better economic opportunities, education, reunification, and to escape gender based violence. Lack of safe migration routes forces women to turn to exploitative forms of migration such as trafficking and smuggling. While women make up roughly half of all international migrants, laws surrounding deportation often do not account for the female migrants leading to risks of exploitation, human trafficking, forced labor, and gender-based violence. According to the UN Global Report on Trafficking In Persons, the most common form of human trafficking (79%) is sexual exploitation of primarily women and girls. Women seeking asylum based on gender based violence (GBV) have been limited due to legal barriers resulting in millions of exploited women unable to seek safety. Rising fears of sexual violence in deportation centers and trafficers usage of threats towards family members are commonly used to manipulate and exploit women’s bodies and labor. Aggressive immigration policy makes already reluctant women to report GBV and seek legal residency. Unfortunately, migrant women are often barred from essential services such as healthcare, education, and housing. Can the Security Council establish guidelines to eliminate sexual violence and abuse within migrant detention and processing centers? How can the UN collaborate with other organizations to ensure migrant women have access to essential healthcare, education and safe housing?
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Global Care Economy
Globally, women and girls perform over 75% of unpaid child and domestic work. This encapsulates childcare, elder care, care for the sick or disabled, cooking, household maintenance, and various other household tasks. Estimates approximate that if compensated, this work would total to over 11 trillion dollars, equating to around 9% of GDP. In both developed and undeveloped nations, this problem grows increasingly pervasive due to lack of state infrastructure and cultural history. Can the UN push member states to formally recognize and measure unpaid care work in national economic accounts? What international frameworks could mandate investment in public care systems?
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Women’s Land Rights
In at least 40 nations worldwide, women are legally restricted from owning or inheriting land on equal terms as their male counterparts. Even in countries where legal protections exist, familial and cultural pressures routinely override these standards. Climate change is intensifying this crisis, as displacement from floods, droughts, and land degradation disproportionately strips women of property they have no legal claim to protect. As an asset, land is often correlated to nutrition for children, access to credit, and household income levels, which underscores the importance of equitable land access for women. How can the UN create enforceable standards for women’s land rights? What is the UN’s role in balancing legal equity and customary practices?
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Combating Digital Gender-Based Violence
Despite representing less than half of all social media users globally, women are 27 times more likely to experience digital-based abuse, such as harassment, cyberstalking, and sextortion, than men. And with the advancements in deepfake technology and its growing access, women are more likely to be the victim of fabricated exploitative videos. The extreme disproportionality in digital attacks against women stems from systemic and historical discrimination, further exacerbated by the media’s failure to adequately protect women from digital abuse. Social media’s rapid development has made the regulation of gender-based violence a difficult task, preventing entities from successfully combating digital abuse. This form of violence leaves lasting effects on the victim, including potential depression, anxiety, and withdrawal from public spaces, limiting women’s right to freely express their opinions. In what ways can the UN ensure women are protected from harmful abuse online? What measures can we implement to secure the safety of every woman online?
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International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Nuclear Testing Contamination
Applicant Nation: Marshall Islands
Respondent Nation(s): France / United States of America / United Kingdom
Between 1946 and 1958, the US conducted 67 nuclear weapons tests on the Marshall Islands, vaporizing islands and leaving lasting radioactive contamination, while simultaneously forcing entire populations to be permanently uprooted from their traditional homelands. In 2014 the Marshall Islands brought a case to the ICJ against all nine nuclear-armed states, arguing France, the US, the UK, and others had failed to pursue good-faith disarmament negotiations required under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and customary international law, but the case was ultimately dismissed due to a lack of court jurisdiction, ruling that the island nation failed to prove a legal dispute existing prior to filing. How can the ICJ hold powerful, non-cooperative states accountable? How can the Court balance a small nation’s claim to historical and environmental justice against the sovereignty of nuclear powers? How can the ICJ design an outcome that delivers real redress rather than another procedural dead end?
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Decolonization of Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean
Applicant Nation: Mauritius
Respondent Nation: United Kingdom
The UN is faced with Mauritius' claim that the United Kingdom has violated decolonization laws by unlawfully retaining administrative control over the Chagos Archipelago. The United Kingdom separated the islands from Mauritius to form the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) more than two centuries ago. In the years since, the UK has hosted a major joint military base with the United States, resulting in the forced expulsion of the native Chagossian people. The base has become a central hub for two major powers’ military operations, while a smaller nation relies on the power of this committee to restore sovereignty. The case is further complicated as many Chagossian people have also rejected Mauritius’ claim to the archipelago. It is the responsibility of this committee to analyze the historical circumstances surrounding territorial control and determine what the ICJ needs to do about the governance of colonized territories while ensuring political stability of all involved nations.
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Alleged Genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar
Applicant Nation: The Gambia
Respondent Nation: Myanmar
In the case of The Gambia vs. Myanmar, The Gambia has brought Myanmar before the International Court of Justice, alleging that Myanmar violated the 1948 Genocide Convention against the Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority. Myanmar denies committing genocide and argues that its military operations were conducted to address the armed groups in Rakhine State. The Gambia argues that Myanmar must be held legally accountable for the suffering of the Rohingya and that the ICJ should require measures to prevent further violations. In evaluating this case, juror states should consider the following factors: First, examine the relevant international law, particularly the 1948 Genocide Convention, to determine whether Myanmar violated its legal obligations. Second, carefully assess the evidence of violence and persecution against the Rohingya and whether these actions demonstrate the specific intent required to constitute genocide. Finally, weigh Myanmar’s claims of national security and sovereignty against the Rohingya’s rights and the international community’s responsibility to prevent genocide. Juror states should consider what remedies are appropriate if Myanmar is found responsible while balancing international law, state sovereignty, and the protection of vulnerable populations.
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Cross-border Surveillance
Applicant Nation: Germany
Respondent Nation: China
The UN is confronted with Germany’s claim that China has illegally engaged in transnational repression of its citizens on German territory. In 2022, the NGO Safeguard Defenders reported discovering “police service stations,” a comprehensive network of Chinese administrative offices. Disguised as offices designed to provide services to Chinese citizens abroad, these facilities have been exposed for pressuring Chinese dissidents and monitoring Chinese citizens in Germany, as well as gathering information regarding Chinese citizens in Germany. These activities have raised concerns within the German government over foreign interference and potential violation of its sovereignty, as any foreign nation is prohibited from conducting police operations within another country without consent. What can the ICJ do to protect Germany’s sovereignty while cooperating with both parties? How can the ICJ protect the identity and privacy of civilians abroad?
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The Indus Water Treaty
Applicant Nation: Pakistan
Respondent Nation: India
The Indus Waters Treaty has stood as the central long-term binding agreement between India and Pakistan regarding each country’s legal rights to the Basin. However, India’s construction of the Kishanganga Dam in 2017 has incited significant legal questions and disputes regarding India’s adherence to the Treaty’s regulations. Pakistan’s opposition to India’s advancing hydroelectric projects in the Indus is rooted in concerns of limited downstream flow and the diversion of critical water sources to vulnerable Pakistani communities. How can the ICJ resolve this conflict amid a period of unprecedented terroristic violence between the two countries? How can the UN ensure that future treaties regarding water sources are not violated?
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Rwandan Genocide in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Applicant Nation: Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Respondent Nation: Rwanda
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has filed a case against Rwanda alleging that during 1994 Rwandan Genocide, state backed forces carried out acts of genocide against groups within the borders of the DRC. This is the third suit brought by the DRC. Previously Rwanda had not consented to the court’s jurisdiction, however, new precedent has broadened the definition of genocide and expanded the reach of the court. To what extent is the modern Rwandan government responsible for the atrocities carried out decades ago? What reparations should the DRC expect? Should the definitions of genocide, and the powers of the court, be expanded yet again?
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Agenda Topics Authored by the Oregon MUN Secretariat.