NMUN/GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Organized by: - Navodaya Sishu Sadan Family WELCOME LETTER Dear Delegates, It is our honor to welcome you to the General assembly (GA) at Navodaya Model United Nations 2017. We hope that the experience participating in this MUN will aggregate knowledge and experience in all delegates for the participation in upcoming MUN lunched by various organizations. This study guide will provide you the basic information concerning the topics. Please note this document only provide the basis for your study and the general information to guide your preparation. The more knowledge and information you acquire on topic, the more you will be able to contribute to the committee and to the final resolution. Please feel free to contact us if you face any challenges in your research or while preparing your Position Paper, we are here to help and provide the best experience for all delegates. We are looking forward to seeing you grapple with the general issues that will come up in committee. We are confident that all of you can write a resolution with solutions that would make a positive impact on the lives of others. Please feel free to email us if you have any questions or concerns about the committee. We are excited to meet you all at conference. Procedure: The Rules of Procedure (Rope) are meant for greater organization and smooth flow of committee proceedings. The committee will follow the UNA-USA Rules of Procedure, a link for which has been provided here: http://www.unausa.org/global-classrooms-model-un/how-toparticipate/model-un-preparation/rules-of-procedure Though the Rope are important, discussing the agenda is of utmost priority. Delegates are advised to express their opinions within the purview of Rope. Foreign Policy: Delegates must abide by the foreign policy of their nations while presenting their ideas and arguments in formal debate. Role of the Dais: The dais’ role is to facilitate debate and assess delegates’ performance. However, delegates decide the flow of the committee. Delegates are strongly encouraged to lead discussion on the agendas, though the dais may choose to as and when necessary. Nature of sources/evidence: This Background Guide is meant solely for research purposes and must not be cited as evidence to substantiate statements made during the conference. Evidence or proof for substantiating statements made during formal debate is acceptable from the following sources: United Nations, Multilateral Organizations, Government Reports and News Sources. Note: (1) Reports from NGOs working with UNESCO, UNICEF and other UN bodies will be accepted. (2) Under no circumstances will sources like Wikipedia, or newspapers like the Guardian, Times of India etc. be accepted. However, notwithstanding the aforementioned criteria for acceptance of sources and evidence, delegates are still free to research Sincerely, Delegate Affairs Team Navodaya Model United Nations’017 "We will never know the worth of water until it dry" Introduction to the General Assembly The General Assembly is the main deliberative body of the UN. As opposed to the Security Council, which is exclusive and grants unique veto rights to five nations, all 192 UN member nations have membership and equal voting rights in the General Assembly. The General Assembly approves the admission of new UN members and elect's members to other UN organs. Over the years, it has become the primary platform for the dialogue between developed and developing states. All 192-member states of the United Nations have a vote in the General Assembly. Additionally, several entities, like the Vatican, have non-voting observer status that allows them to participate in debate but not vote on resolutions or declarations. Recommendations on peace and security, the election of members to organs, the admission, suspension, and expulsion of members, and budgetary matters require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting to pass. Resolutions on other matters only require a simple majority. Aside from budgetary matters, resolutions are non-binding on member states. The General Assembly sessions commence annually in September with two weeks of open debate in which many world leaders take the opportunity to address the body directly. The session typically suspends in late December and reconvenes as needed throughout the following year. The General Assembly can also be called into emergency and special session at the request of the UN Security Council or a majority of Member States. Memorable extra sessions include an emergency session that was held in 1950 on the issue of North and South Korea and two recent special sessions that were held to adopt the Millennium Development Declaration in 2000 and to set a UN reform agenda in 2005. Agenda A: . Water distribution system affecting various countries economy Despite previous actions taken by the United Nations, national governments, and advocacy organizations, water distribution, communities around the world continue to suffer discrimination and violence based upon their natural resources. As a body, we will address the causes of LGBT discrimination including homophobic attitudes, education on the topic, how we can strengthen existing legislation and further implement and enforce legislation. Water use has increased significantly since the industrial Revolution, and most rapidly over the last four decades. And demand is expected to continue to grow rapidly, in part as a result of continued population growth, and as such is concentrated in Africa. The medium variant of the United Nations' population projections indicates that Africa will account for nearly half of global population growth between 2010 and 2050 more than doubling the total population on the continent. however, other regions and other stresses on both the supply and demand side of water also contribute to growing scarcity (Figure 1). Other key factors include economic growth, which drives increases in water demand for household, industrial, and agricultural uses as well as urbanization, which, in turn, contributes to dietary changes, with a general trend toward more water-intensive diets. Over the last decade, water has also been increasingly used for the production of first-generation biofuels. The production of biofuels affects water resources in two ways: directly through water withdrawals for irrigation and the industrial processes of feedstock conversion; and indirectly by increasing water loss through evapotranspiration that would otherwise be available as runoff and groundwater recharge. Climate change is increasingly impacting water availability and use through increasing temperatures and changes in the timing and distribution of rainfall as well as more frequent and severe flooding and droughts in many regions. Finally, water quality, hitherto the key water-related challenge in the industrialized world, is becoming a or the constraint in emerging Asian economies. Are we limiting options for growth through poor water management and investment? While linkages between growing water scarcity and environment outcomes are somewhat established, links between water scarcity and economic growth are less clear. Thus, as we are surpassing thresholds of water stress through aggressively exploiting water resources, we might well compromise our future ability to continue to grow and improve human well-being outcomes. Past analyses linking water and economic growth have focused on the impact of economic growth on water use, generally trying to assess the existence or not of an Environmental Kuznets Curve, assuming an inverted u-shape relationship between per capita income and the use of natural resources. Results of these studies have been mixed inconclusive and that is, depending on the variable, data and method used, water use increases, decreases or shows little change with increasing national incomes. However, water use and availability also directly affect economic growth, with growing water scarcity limiting desirability or potential for investments. To assess this latter linkage-will growing water scarcity affect a country's economic growth, and if yes, how far can water productivity improvements reduce water-overutilization and thus sustain economic growth-alternative development pathways can be developed and assessed at various levels of economic growth. The well-known criticality ratio or water stress index, the ratio of water withdrawal to internal renewable water resources can then be used to identify development outcomes that put both populations and economic development at risk from water stress, with high criticality ratios (values above 40 percent) signifying severe water stress. Three key alternative development pathways assessed include business-as-usual (Abu), postulating currently projected improvements in water productivity, which is used as a reference scenario. Under Abu, the domestic sector shows moderate improvements in water productivity (and energy efficiency) gains across domestic, industrial and irrigation uses. the "Grey" scenario focuses on production increases at all costs, without investments in effigy cogency improvements. Under this scenario, no water productivity improvements are achieved and energy efficiency gains are minor. Finally, the "smart blue" scenario focuses on high water use efficiency gains (and corresponding energy effigy cogency gains) across all water-using sectors. Under the smart blue scenario, the domestic sector shows high improvements in leakage reduction and water efficiency gains, with the majority of total water productivity potential achieved in the industrial sector. These three development pathways were simulated at three different economic growth assumptions using IFPRI's International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade (IMPACT). Changes in the criticality ratio for the various economic growth and development scenarios are shown in Figure 2 for one example, Brahmana river basin in India. The "grey" water productivity scenario at medium economic growth, focusing on growth "at all costs" without accompanying investments in water use efficiency, results in a significant increase in water stress compared to business-as-usual with an additional 450 million people and 5.6 trillion GDP (at 2000 prices) being at risk by 2050. In a "blue" water productivity scenario, on the other hand, where countries invest in additional water productivity enhancements, economic growth is much more sustainable with ~1 billion people and ~US$17 trillion GDP less at risk due to high water stress as compared to business-as-usual by 2050. The "blue" productivity scenario helps both developing and developed economies reduce risk by moving towards sustainable water stress levels. For other growth regions like India, "blue" productivity is important, but not sufficient to mitigate unsustainable water uses - These countries will face difficult choices on priorities for water allocation. A smart blue world will also be key to enable the high growth needed to reduce today's malnutrition levels; and a medium growth blue world offers the best balance for sustainability. Major issues 1) Nile river The impacts of the Nile on the politics of the North African region have been so significant that they threaten to spark an interstate conflict, which could potentially destabilize the whole area. The countries in the Basin depend heavily on the Nile, which is the only major renewable source of water in the area; consequently, it is essential to their food and water security. The Egyptian and Sudanese monopoly over the water resources in previous years had served to exacerbate regional tensions. The signing of various agreements during colonial times allowed for this distribution; the two most prominent agreements were signed between Egypt and Britain (1929) and Egypt and Sudan (1959). Increased co-operation between upstream nations has resulted in the binding Entebbe Agreement, which is restructuring allocations and control over the Nile’s resources. The geo-political shift in the region has led to a proliferation of upstream developments, including dams and irrigation networks. These developments are often met with threats from Egypt, which is extremely protective over its decreasing share of the Nile’s water. Egypt, however, must engage in peaceful interstate co-operation to secure its water supplies. The Nile faces an uncertain future amid developmental and environmental pressures. Alternative water sources, in the form of desalinization, aquifers and other such solutions, simply must be found to reduce the region’s dependency on the river. 2) Crisis of clean water in Arabian count Water supply and sanitation in Arabia is characterized by challenges and achievements. One of the main challenges is water scarcity. In order to overcome water scarcity, substantial investments have been undertaken in seawater desalination, water distribution, sewerage and wastewater treatment. Today about 50% of drinking water comes from desalination, 40% from the mining of non-renewable groundwater and only 10% from surface water in the mountainous southwest of the country. The capital Riyadh, located in the heart of the country, is supplied with desalinated water pumped from the Persian Gulf over a distance of 467 km. Water is provided almost for free to residential users. Despite improvements, service quality remains poor, for example in terms of continuity of supply. Another challenge is weak institutional capacity and governance, reflecting general characteristics of the public sector in Saudi Arabia. Among the achievements is a significant increase in desalination, and in access to water, the expansion of wastewater treatment, as well as the use of treated effluent for the irrigation of urban green spaces, and for agriculture. 3) Koshi river conflict among Nepalese and Indian Agreement on the Kosi Project between Nepal & India, Kathmandu, April 25, 1954. THIS Agreement made this twenty-fifth day of April 1954, between the Government of the Kingdom of Nepal (hereinafter referred to as the 'Government') and the Government of India (herein after referred to as the 'Union') WHEREAS the Union is desirous of constructing a barrage, head-works and other appurtenant work [s] about 3 miles upstream of Hanuman Nagar town on the Kosi River with afflux and flood banks, canals and protective works, on land lying within the territories of Nepal, for the purpose of flood control, irrigation, generation of hydroelectric power and prevention of erosion of Nepal areas on the right side of the river, upstream of the barrage (hereinafter has referred to as the 'Project'); AND WHEREAS the Government has agree to the construction of the said barrage, head-works and other connected works by and a the cost of the Union, in consideration of the benefits hereinafter appearing. Country: The Republic of Finland Committee: UN General Assembly Agenda: Racial Discrimination Faced by Muslim and Arab People in the Aftermath of 2001 Terrorist Attacks [The first paragraph describes the background information of the topic. In this section, it overviews the historical background and causes of the issue, it also reviews those countries getting involved in the issue and analyses the effect. In the last sentence, give your country’s brief standpoint on the issue.] In the aftermath of 911 terrorist attacks, the world began to highlight and concentrate on the tangible and intangible terrorism along and terrorism-related problems. Under the influence of the mass media, governmental preachment and some real cases, people in the non-Muslim countries hold an extreme concept that all Muslim and Arab people are related to terrorism. With the inapprehensive understanding on this issue, people from Muslim world are insulted in many fields. Finland government highly concerns the societal discrimination and disrespect and stresses the law restraint to eliminate the bald-faced discrimination. Government has remained at the forefront to improve the dignity and mutual understand between intercultural citizens. [The second paragraph focuses on the international society’s involvement concerning the topic (Especially, detailing how UN functions in this issue). It mentions the relevant actions (i.e.: resolutions, conferences, declarations, programmes, etc.) taken by UN, NGOs and other UN affiliated organs.] The international community has devoted a lot to the elimination of racial discrimination and has made a remarkable progress in this field. Early in 1963, take the elimination of racial discrimination into consideration with the global concern, United Nations General Assembly took the formal step of adopting the Declaration on the Elimination of the All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In 1969 CERD came into existence as the first international mechanism for the implementation of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. In 2001, World Conference against Racialism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance was held in Durban, South Africa. [The third paragraph is dedicated to your country’s involvement in the issue. It articulates the country’s past actions regarding the topic (i.e. resolution sponsored, conference attended, conventions signed, policies adopted, etc.)] Finland Government insists on advocating the international consensus on the elimination of racial discrimination. The Non-Discrimination Act (21/2004) came into force on 1 February 2004; The Non Discrimination Act (21/2004) came into force on 1 February 2004; the Council Directive (2000/43/EC) implements the principle of equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin. On 25 January 2007, the Ministry of Justice set up a Committee with the task of reforming the Finnish legislation on non-discrimination. Finland also established a consummate system to monitor the Act. The obligation to supervise equality planning in workplaces and educational establishments alone covers estimated 5000-6000 workplaces and over 1000 educational establishments. Finland is always staying in the front line to perfect its legislation to eliminate the racial discrimination. [The final paragraph reiterates your country’s standpoint and elaborates its viewpoints based on UN’s past and present actions on the topic. It also brings forward your country's constructive proposals in dealing with the issue. It’s the most crucial part of a position paper.] Finland asserts that legislation functions as a mere measure to check superficial discrimination and conflicts between Muslims and non-Muslims. Therefore, this government believes that the main reasons for racism and xenophobia on Muslim are the horrible ready-made images exaggerated by mass media and government officials. The all-important task for international community to do now is to redress the ready-made images of Muslim and reinforce the mutual understand through intercultural communications in any acceptable forms. To change the biased attitudes and establish a peaceful and stable relationship between the West and Muslim world is our preoccupation. Finland appeals to the reconstruction of the positive images of Muslim through the intercultural communication, especially among the young generation. The mass media should take the responsibility to avoid the exaggeration of the danger from Muslims. Finland respects Islam, and hopes that in this realm people can live in harmony in the spirit of tolerance of cultural diversity, universal human rights, and liberty of religion. Ref: unachina.org Sample Working Paper* Committee: The General Assembly 1, Topic: World Food Summit: five years later Working Paper 1 - World Food Summit Recalling its resolution 51/171 of 16 December 1996, in which it welcomed the outcome of the World Food Summit, held in Rome from 13 to 17 November 1996, Recalling also its resolution 55/2 of 8 September 2000, by which it adopted the United Nations Millennium Declaration, Recalling further its resolutions 55/162 of 14 December 2000 and 56/95 of 14 December 2001 on the follow-up to the outcome of the Millennium Summit, 1. Welcomes the holding of the World Food Summit: five years later, which was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome from 10 to 13 June 2002; 2. Urges Member States to implement in a coordinated manner and in close cooperation with relevant bodies of the United Nations system, as well as international and regional financial institutions, the Declaration of the World Food Summit: five years later International Alliance against Hunger; 3. Requests all relevant organizations of the United Nations system, in particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, as well as the international and regional financial institutions, to pursue, at the global, regional and country levels, the implementation of the outcome of the World Food Summit: five years later in the context of the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the United Nations Millennium Declaration, in particular the goals of halving the levels of hunger and absolute poverty by 2015, and in the context of relevant follow-up to the Fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, the International Conference on Financing for Development and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Sponsors: USA, France, UK, Brazil and Mexico *Ref: Sorbonne Sample Resolution* General Assembly Third Committee Sponsors: United States, Austria and Italy Signatories: Greece, Tajikistan, Japan, Canada, Mali and the Netherlands Agenda: “Strengthening UN coordination of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies” The General Assembly, Reminding all nations of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which recognizes the inherent dignity, equality and inalienable rights of all global citizens, [use commas to separate preambulatory clauses] Reaffirming its Resolution 33/1996 of 25 July 1996, which encourages Governments to work with UN bodies aimed at improving the coordination and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance, Noting with satisfaction the past efforts of various relevant UN bodies and nongovernmental organizations, Stressing the fact that the United Nations faces significant financial obstacles and is in need of reform, particularly in the humanitarian realm, 1. Encourages all relevant agencies of the United Nations to collaborate more closely with countries at the grassroots level to enhance the carrying out of relief efforts; [use semicolons to separate operative clauses] 2. Urges member states to comply with the goals of the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs to streamline efforts of humanitarian aid; 3. Requests that all nations develop rapid deployment forces to better enhance the coordination of relief efforts of humanitarian assistance in complex emergencies; 4. Calls for the development of a United Nations Trust Fund that encourages voluntary donations from the private transnational sector to aid in funding the implementation of rapid deployment forces; 5. Stresses the continuing need for impartial and objective information on the political, economic and social situations and events of all countries; 6 6. Calls upon states to respond quickly and generously to consolidated appeals for humanitarian assistance; 7. Requests the expansion of preventive actions and assurance of post-conflict assistance through reconstruction and development. [end resolutions with a period. THANK YOU AND ALL THE BEST References:  www.wri.org  www.fao.org  www.ws.iwaponline.com  www.unfoundation.org  www.un.org  www.harvardmun.org  https://sorbonnemun.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/sample-draft-resolution.pdf