Organized by Consular and Diplomatic Affairs students, the 22nd Benilde Model United Nations (BenildeMUN) spearheaded the the first-ever online conference last March 5 to 6 via Zoom, as Benildean students and nationwide attendees in the field of diplomacy gathered to partake as delegates of UN Member States with the aim to strengthen international ties and seek answers to current global problems. 

Guest of Honor H.E. Anke Reiffenstuel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Philippines, officially commenced the 22nd BenildeMUN through her speech in the opening plenary, highlighting the importance of active involvement of future diplomatic-inclined students in solving current global issues."

“A success means taking responsible action in the interest of future generations. There are many more topics and challenges that need to be addressed and [can] only be successfully tackled by close international cooperation. I am confident that you [students] can contribute and find the solutions for global challenges of today and tomorrow through commitment and active involvement in the best interest of the international community,” she stated.


Following the opening plenary was the commencement of two of four committee sessions, namely the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and Conference of Parties United Nations Framework on the Convention of Climate Change (COP UNFCCC). Each committee had respective topic agendas aligning with this year’s theme, “Reinforcing International Solidarity in Pursuit of Global Prosperity”.


The first day kicked off with the UNGA, UNSC, ECOSOC and COP UNFCCC dais opening their respective committee session by welcoming delegates and setting the house rules. 

In UNGA, the delegate of South Sudan was the first on the speakers list, while the delegate of Thailand later on set their agendas to be tackled by default, namely “Addressing the Rising Threats of Biological Weapons” and “Strengthening Outer Space Law to Suppress Space Militarization.”

Moreover, the UNSC unanimously set their agenda to default, prioritizing the first agenda “Addressing the Security Issue of the Arctic Region” and followed by “Consolidating Sanction Regimes Towards Sustainable Peace” during the first committee session. This was followed by a debate between delegates regarding the first agenda. The crisis regarding the situation in Myanmar was then discussed during the second committee session.


Meanwhile, the agendas were set to 2-1 for both the ECOSOC and COP UNFCCC, shifting focus on the second agenda “Building Self-Sustainable Institutions to Mitigate Mass Emigrations among Developing Nations” and “Capacity Building for Low-altitude Areas Affected by Climate Change” respectively.

After a successful first day of delegates setting their agendas, debating, and promoting their countries’ stance and national interest, the conference became busier as unmoderated caucuses were taking longer to cater. Working papers drafted by delegates were then adopted as draft resolutions and declarations (for COP UNFCCC)  at the end of the fifth committee session.

The following are the adopted draft resolutions and declaration by the respective committees:

• United Nations General Assembly 
  
  
  • The working paper was passed as resolution DR/GA/01 via roll call.

• • The working paper was passed as resolution DR/GA/02 via roll call.

• • The working paper was passed as resolution DR/GA/03 via acclamation.
    
  • The working paper was passed as resolution DR/GA/04 via acclamation.
    
    
    • Combating Radicalization and Violent Extremism among Vulnerable Groups through Education and Capacity Building
      
      Sponsors: Canada, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island
      
      
    • Proposition on Enhancing the Guidelines to Aid in the Prevention of the Spread of Biological through the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC)
      
      Sponsors: Argentina, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, Palestine

• • • Standardizing Protocols and Regulations for Biological Materials in accordance with existing state’s policies to prevent the proliferation of biological weapons
      
      Sponsors: Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, Islamic Republic of Iran, Netherlands, People’s Republic of China, Russian Federation

• • • Comprehensive Multilateral Response to the Elimination of Biological Threats for Further Peace and Enhancement of Human Security
      
      Sponsors: Cambodia, France, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Thailand
      
      

• United Nations Security Council 
  • The Situation in Myanmar
    Sponsors: Estonia and United States of America

• • The working paper was adopted as SC resolution S/RES/01 via roll call.
    
    
  • The delegates of China and Russia requested for an amendment and Estonia and the US debated against it.
    
    
  • The resolution passed to address the crisis in Myanmar.
    
    
• United Nations Economic and Social Council 
  
  
  • Building Sustainable Educational Systems to Mitigate Mass Emigration in Developing Nations
    
    Sponsors: Germany, Pakistan, Ukraine
    
    

• • • The working paper was adopted as ECOSOC resolution DR/ES/01 via acclamation.
      
      

• • Maximizing Human Capital Beyond the Traditional Workforce in Promotion of Minority Groups
    
    Sponsors: Canada, Switzerland, United Kingdom
    
    
    • The working paper was adopted as ECOSOC resolution DR/ES/02 via concensus.
      
      
  • Mitigating Mass Emigration through the Development of Sustainable Food Security
    
    Sponsors United States of America, Saudi Arabia

• • • The working paper was adopted as ECOSOC resolution DR/ES/03 via consensus.
      
      

• Conference of Parties United Nations Framework on the Convention of Climate Change
  
  
• Capacity Building for Low-altitude Areas Affected by Climate Change

Sponsors: China, Haiti, Morocco, Northern Ireland, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain

• • • This was recognized as a working paper WP/COP/Kamagong during the second committee session.
    • The working group failed to meet the deadline to be recognized as a draft declaration.
      
      

• • The Empowerment of Developing Nations in Response to Climate Change through Capacity Building and Diverse Research

Sponsors: Côte d’Ivoire, Estonia, south Africa, Sweden and the United States of America

• • • The Delegate of Vanuatu dissents the draft declaration, nevertheless, the working paper was adopted as COP declaration COP/RES/01 via raising of hands as motioned by the Delegate of Malaysia, with two-third majority reached during the voting.

• • Multilateral Sustainable Development for Climate Preparedness

Sponsors: Bolivia, Canada, Malaysia, Vanuatu, and Venezuela

• • • The working paper was adopted as COP Declaration COP/RES/02 via acclamation.
      
      

Aside from simulations and addressing current global problems, the 22nd BenildeMUN has partnered with non-profit organization Kiwanis Club Sunshine of Cavite for “BenildeMUN for a Cause” which aims to launch outreach programs and give learning materials for youth and out-of-school children. 

As of Feb. 26, 22nd BenildeMUN have garnered a total of P56,100.

The BenildeMUN is an annual event spearheaded by Consular and Diplomatic Affairs students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.