ASEAN Model United Nations Conference 2025

• The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has a Model United Nations Singapore conference in 2025
• It presents topic guides for delegates to explore critical issues affecting the ASEAN region and the world
• ASEAN is a regional inter-governmental organization founded on August 8, 1967
• The mission is to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and political stability across Southeast Asia
• Delegates will explore two topics; regulating resource exploitation in the South China Sea, and countering natural disasters in ASEAN
• Discussions will challenge critical thinking about economics, international relations, and environmental sustainability
• A creative approach, collaboration, and empathy are needed to deliver practical resolutions
• The goal for delegates is to come up with innovative, sustainable solutions that meet the needs of all nations affected

About the committee

• ASEAN's decision-making is rooted in the "ASEAN Way," emphasizing consensus, noninterference, and peaceful conflict resolution
• ASEAN was founded on August 8, 1967
• The goals were to foster regional peace, stability, economic growth, and cultural exchange
• ASEAN represents a population of over 673 million and a combined GDP of 3.2 trillion
• The GDP makes ASEAN a key player in global trade and regional security
• ASEAN seeks to develop long-term frameworks for things such as sustainable growth and equitable resource management
• There are three main pillars in an effort to achieve its goals
  • ASEAN Economic Community (AEC)
  • ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC)
  • ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC)
• Delegates must engage in debates that balance immediate needs with long-term planning
• Respecting the unique priorities and challenges faced by all members affected is essential
• ASEAN has made progress in economic integration
• This is exemplified in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which has grown intra-ASEAN trade from 19.2% to 25.9% of total trade by 2016
• The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is the world's largest free trade agreement

Glossary

• Bloc: A group of countries or organizations with common interests or goals, working together to advance objectives
• Consensus: Reaching agreement without formal voting, requiring all members' support, a cornerstone of the "ASEAN Way"
• Coral Bleaching: Corals lose color due to environmental stress, which affects marine biodiversity and fisheries
• Drought: An extended period of deficient rainfall that results in severe water shortages that impact agriculture, ecosystems, and populations
• Early Warning Systems (EWS): Technological and logistical frameworks to detect natural disasters, allowing at-risk populations to take preventive measures
• Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): A sea zone under UNCLOS where a state has special rights for resource exploration and use
• Floodplain: Low-lying areas near rivers prone to flooding, increasing risk for Southeast Asian communities
• Geophysical Hazards: Natural disasters caused by geological processes, particularly relevant for Indonesia and the Philippines
• Hydro-Meteorological Hazards: Natural events related to water and weather, common in Southeast Asia, causing 90% of annual disasters
• Pacific Ring of Fire: A major area in the Pacific Ocean basin that is known for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, holding 75% of the world's volcanoes
• Seismic Activity: Earthquake frequency and magnitude, high in Southeast Asia due to tectonic plate boundaries
• Tectonic Plate Boundaries: Areas where plates meet, resulting in hazards like earthquakes and eruptions
• Typhoon: A tropical storm in the Northwest Pacific, equivalent to a hurricane
• United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): A UN body coordinating international humanitarian response
• Vulnerability Index: A measure assessing susceptibility to natural disasters based on economic stability, infrastructure, and environmental conditions

Topic 1: Regulating Resource Exploitation in the South China Sea

• The area is geopolitically significant and resource-rich, but marred by territorial disputes and unsustainable practices
• Delegates must develop strategies for conflict resolution and sustainable resource management
• The South China Sea spans over 3.6 million square kilometers and holds much significance
• It contributes of almost 12% of the world's total fish catch
• There are believed to be reserves of up to 11 billion barrels of untapped oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas
• Nearly 30% of the world's global maritime trade passes through the region
• Disputes date back centuries, with nations citing historical activities, location, and international law to support their interests
• China introduced the "Nine-Dash Line" in 1947, encompassing nearly the entire South China Sea
• This overlaps with the EEZs of other ASEAN countries
• The 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) was introduced to establish clear maritime boundaries and regulate resource extraction
• The provisions of UNCLOS have not been universally accepted or enforced, especially in disputes involving China
• The 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejected China's expansive claims
• Despite the ruling, tensions are still high due to lack of enforcement mechanisms
• Escalating militarization marked by frequent clashes, has occurred in the region over the past two decades
• Unregulated fishing has strained relationships
• The sea accounts for 8.6% of the ocean's surface, with an estimated over 70% of fish stocks being overexploited
• Land reclamation projects and artificial islands have caused ecological damage
• Oil and gas extraction has heightened tensions
• Unchecked activities have turned it into a volatile geopolitical flashpoint
• It tests international maritime law and diplomacy
• Tensions persist despite efforts like summits and agreements
• Environmental challenges, overfished waters, and geopolitical landscape are on the rise
• Sustainable and collaborative solutions are needed

Current Situation

• The South China Sea is a rich region for resources like fish, oil, and natural gas, but is a focal point for territorial disputes and resource exploitation
• There is an absence of regulatory framework, which results in unsustainable practices and heightened tensions
• Overfishing plagues the South China Sea due to unregulated and illegal fishing
• Chinese fishing militias have been accused of illegal fishing in disputed waters, harming local economies
• Extraction of oil and gas is a major concern
• China disregards territorial disputes to access resources
• Unregulated extraction in Exclusive Economic Zones harms the environment, marine life and fisheries
• The lack of legal framework complicates enforcement despite the UNCLOS guidelines
• China does not acknowledge the ruling
• ASEAN has failed to establish an enforceable regulatory framework due to internal divisions
• The U.S. challenges China's claims with Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)
• External powers complicate resource management
• Smaller states face pressure to align with larger powers
• Environmental protection, resource management, and equitable distribution of benefits should be prioritized by A regional framework for resource extraction
• Managing external powers and balancing interests is crucial for peace in the South China Sea

Questions to consider

• How can delegates address territorial claims while ensuring sustainable resource management?
• To what extent can a delegate rely on international law to resolve resource exploitation disputes?
• What strategies can a delegate implement to balance economic development and environmental sustainability?
• What measures can a delegate propose to prevent the long-term impacts of resource exploitation, and is a sustainable future foreseeable?
• How can delegates address the issue of illegal fishing in the South China Sea?
• What level of influence should private companies have in resource extraction in the South China Sea?

Topic 2: Countering Natural Disasters in ASEAN

• Southeast Asia is one of the most disaster-prone regions, accounting for over 50% of disaster-related mortalities between 2004 and 2014
• There were 1,899 disaster events alone from July 2012 to May 2020
• These disasters affected 147 million people, displaced 18 million, and resulted in 84,000 deaths, with $17 billion in damages
• ASEAN countries face the challenge of managing disaster risks, preparing for future events, and quick responses
• The region, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis
• Frequent tropical storms and monsoons worsen the problem
• Challenges include nature's unpredictability, disaster preparedness weaknesses, response systems, and international cooperation
• Economic development, political stability, and resources influence a country's ability to respond to disasters
• Natural disasters in Southeast Asia have increased due to climate change
• The ASEAN region accounted for half of the world's disaster mortalities between 2004 and 2014, with 700,000 deaths
• Countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Indonesia are at risk of losing significant portions of their land mass due to coastal erosion and flooding
• Food security threatened by unpredictable rainfall and prolonged dry spells

Disaster Response and Preparedness

• Several regional initiatives have been established to improve disaster response and preparedness in Southeast Asia
• One notable example is the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER), which was signed in 2005 by ASEAN member states
• AADMER aims to enhance regional cooperation in disaster management by improving the capacity of governments and agencies to respond effectively
• Some components include provisions for joint disaster relief, sharing resources, and coordinating response efforts across national borders
• ASEAN has also established the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre), which serves as a hub for disaster response coordination and resource mobilization
• International efforts led by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the World Bank support disaster risk reduction and recovery in Southeast Asia
• Establishing early warning systems is also key, some following Thailand and Indonesia after the 2004 tsunami
• Asia contributed over half of global disaster casualties from 2000-2022 with an estimated average loss of $780 billion due to hydro-meteorological and geophysical hazards

Current Situation

• SEA remains one of the most disaster-prone regions with frequent earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and typhoons
• The broader Asia-Pacific region and the Pacific Island nations also faces challenges
• Countries such as the Maldives, the Philippines, and Bangladesh are particularly vulnerable
• Rising sea levels, prolonged droughts, intense monsoon seasons, and more frequent cyclones pose growing risks to the region
• Uneven distribution of resources leads to a lack of preparedness and slow response times in affected areas
• A multi-stakeholder approach should prioritize disaster resilience and address the root causes of vulnerabilities
• Enhanced cross-border cooperation and multilateral agreements are essential for long-term regional stability and disaster preparedness

Questions to consider

• What steps can be taken to ensure that disaster response mechanisms are proactive rather than reactive?
• What measures can be proposed to improve early warning systems, especially for rural and remote areas that may lack infrastructure?
• How can the growing threat of climate change and its impact on disaster frequency in the region be addressed, and how can a delegate integrate climate change adaptation into disaster risk management?
• Considering the varying levels of economic development, political stability, and resources, how can policies be designed to be equitable?
• How can a delegate integrate indigenous knowledge and local community-led disaster preparedness efforts into national and regional disaster management policies?

Explore critical issues at the ASEAN Model United Nations Singapore 2025. Delegates will discuss resource exploitation in the South China Sea and countering natural disasters in ASEAN. Discussions will challenge critical thinking about economics, international relations, and environmental sustainability.