Disarmament and International Security Committee
Addressing the Military Build-up and Arms Proliferation in the South China Sea Region.
Hang on: Further details coming in soon.
Letter from the executive board
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to DBISMUN 2024! We are your Executive Board members for this conference, Tarun Moizuddin, Vivaan Kenia, and Alethia Rodrigues.
A committee is defined by its delegates more than by its executive board. The future of this committee lies in your hands. Your participation and contribution to ensure a fruitful session is vital to achieving a successful resolution after the two days of intense deliberation and discussion. Most importantly, you must be ready to put your best foot forward and represent your delegation with courage and tenacity.
MUNs allow you to push your limits and force yourself to speak out even when remaining silent is a far more appealing alternative. Simultaneously, getting wrapped up in the heat of the moment makes it simple to forget what MUNs are truly about, to learn from your experiences and to have fun. Embrace the opportunity to express your thoughts and engage in constructive debate to the fullest. Leave your self-judgement and inhibitions at the door of the committee; only then can growth truly take place. After all, judging you is supposed to be reserved for us, the chairs.
As citizens of a globalised world, conflicts and disputes from all over the world have a spill-over effect on a huge worldwide demographic, apart from those directly involved. The global anarchic state functions with intergovernmental organisations, like the UN, working to reduce the gaps between cohesion and discord. The conflict around the South China Sea has remained heightened since the 1970s. The proliferation of arms and military build-up by regional states is endangering the stability of the region, with serious security ramifications for neighbouring countries and global maritime security. The aggressive expansionist strategies of certain nations, intended to establish their supremacy and control over vital marine territory, are at the root of this problem. The use of military assets such as advanced weapons and monitoring equipment, has heightened tensions among surrounding states and raised the possibility of conflict.
Furthermore, the South China Sea's unchecked armaments proliferation contributes to regional instability and jeopardises attempts at peaceful dispute resolution. An arms race mentality is driven by the unrestricted flow of weapons and military hardware, which keeps stakeholders in a state of suspicion and insecurity.
The agenda is both vast and complex and is bound to be turbulent (just like the South China Sea). The stability or instability of the region lies in every delegate’s purview.
As members of the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), the South China Sea region's military build-up and weapons proliferation provide an urgent concern that has to be addressed. Given the urgency of the matter, The DISEC Executive Board anticipates that delegates will resolve this matter in a way that encourages peace, security, and collaboration among all parties. It includes promoting dialogue, developing understanding between people, and developing diplomatic ways to settle conflicts constructively. In addition, efforts should be taken to create transparent and collaborative frameworks for maritime safety as well as to respect international law, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Exuding confidence from the get-go is key. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned delegate, there is always going to be something new to take away from each MUN experience, whether from a speech, moderated caucus, 1V1 or even an alliance. Apart from research on the agenda, delegates need to be up to date with their country’s historical background and current situation in global politics and international relations.
We expect a certain degree of deference, tact, and inclusivity from all delegates in order to encourage a productive debate. Establishing an environment where all voices are heard, ideas are openly shared, and different viewpoints are respected is crucial. Only when these norms of respect and professionalism are respected will the most creative solutions emerge.
Lastly, never underestimate the effect of effective lobbying. Delegates tend to be more affected by your personality, social skills, and capacity for building relationships than by your basic debating talent. Connect with other delegates, and you can be sure that the MUN experience will be pleasant as well as more productive.
Delegates, good luck! We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Yours sincerely,
The Executive Board of Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC),
Tarun Moizuddin, Vivaan Kenia, and Alethia Rodrigues.
Exploring the agenda
Concerns about the South China Sea have remained heightened since as early as the 1970s. The stability of the region is under threat due to the rising tensions brought on by regional actors' arms proliferation and military build-up. It is impossible to overstate the maritime space's strategic importance. While being an important commercial and economic corridor, the region has major security implications for neighbouring countries. It is imperative that the proliferation of arms and military expansion in this region be addressed immediately on a global scale through coordinated diplomatic action. Nations in the region have engaged in military build-up activities, such as the construction of airstrips, naval bases, and the deployment of advanced weaponry. This militarization has increased the risk of armed conflict, threatening not only the stability of the region but also global maritime security. Delegates must take a multidimensional approach to finding a lasting, effective solution to this pressing issue, to avoid further escalation or detriment caused regionally or globally.
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