UN Environmental program (UNED) 1st committee

By Eteoklis Nikolaou

The necessity of taking measures against climate change was underlined by the delegates. The vast majority of the delegates agreed that the existing measures are insufficient. As the Russian Federation's delegate claimed, it is our responsibility to act, adding that Russia is the ‘champion’ among countries fighting against climate change. A different perspective was expressed by the Belgian delegate, who suggested that the existing resolution system should be reformed and a new general body should be created. Furthermore, he added that the European Union is the only international organization which has acted and we expect more organizations to follow this example. A similar opinion was presented by the Italian delegate, who agreed with Belgium and noted that it is time to create international rules, as there is not an international organization which can take as yet take the necessary measures. The lack of limitations and the improvement of the existing institutions were underlined by the US and the UK delegates, who sought to oppose the suggestion made by the Russian and the North Korean delegates for the creation of an international environmental court. By the end of the committee there had been no clear decision whether a new international court should be created or not .

United Nations Development Program (UNDP) - Friday and Saturday Morning

Unique on the KCL campus in being fully convened and in session at 18:15 on Friday evening, by the conclusion of discussions that evening the first topic, “The Impact of the Financial Crisis on the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals” had been chosen for discussion on Saturday. Three working papers were debated on Saturday morning, and the paper which enjoyed the most signatories, with 28 of 70 delegates, advocated the freezing of foreign debt repayments. Scruples were perhaps inevitably raised by the American delegation, which suggested that the World Bank had already made provisions for the freezing of debt repayments. The Russian delegate managed to cause a ripple of laughs when he commented that “the Russian delegation would like to congratulate the authors of this working paper... of which we are one,”. Early in the afternoon a draft resolution with eight sponsors was proposed by the USA, which recommended a new framework for aid distribution. It fell, however, at the first hurdle, and failed even to enter into discussion.

By Alex Webb

Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC) - Friday and Saturday morning

DISEC has thus far been characterized by enthusiastic engagement from the majority of delegates, with a high proportion keen to express their opinions at all times. The Friday evening session was livened by a fiery debate catalyzed by Haiti, whose advocacy of a regional small arms task force was branded “completely ridiculous” by the Russian delegate, who felt fewer controls were more practicable. When Iran expressed their support for Russia's point of view, it was immediately condemned by Israel as typical of Iran's foreign policy. The chairs intend working papers to be discussed this afternoon.

By Alex Webb