After a short break, the first committee session commenced. A good part of delegates being first timers, it was decided that a mock debate should be held to familiarize every delegate with the procedure. The session started with every delegate’s introduction, and a pop quiz about the committee‘s procedure.
Mock Debate
The main debate topic of the UNSC is represented by Security Concerns in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, related to the Houthi Movement in Yemen. In order to create a friendlier atmosphere for the first-timers, the mock debate was held on the topic of Books vs Movies. The formal session debuted with the roll call and the GSL, and the first speakers agreed that books are viewed as ways of transmitting history, as the delegate of Egypt affirmed in his speech, playing a big part in the culture of the arts. The delegate of Djibouti continued the discussion mentioning the importance of job opportunities available while working in a movie environment, and how books may consume too much resources in terms of wood. Iran brought forward the issues regarding censorship in movies and books, while also responding to POIs regarding the cruel punishments that are carried out under the pretext of “divine will”. Following this, the tension escalated when the delegate of The Houthi Movement insulted the people of the United States on the topic of understanding books, which ended with a not so sincere apology. The end of the session was marked by even more controversial statements of the representative of the Houthi Movement, which showed their contempt for the countries who have more urgent needs, such as food and water, suggesting them to reconsider before stating opinions on such trivial topics.
Every delegate seemed really dedicated to this mock debate: even the first-timers raised their placards and did their best to participate. The anticipation for the formal debate to commence is through the roof, especially for the delegates of the USA and the Houthi movement, who seem to have developed a friendly competition!
Day 2
Today, the second day of the XIXth edition of the GalMUN begins. Everyone is filled with excitement and eager to support their state’s stance at all costs, so for now, we have outstanding prospects. Delegates already formed alliances, and all are curious to see which countries will support which in the following days, especially in the Security Council.
The formal session debuted with the usual roll call and each delegate’s 1 minute and a half opening speech regarding Security Concerns in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. The debate started with the speech of the representative of the Houthi movement who presented their stance by saying that their actions are motivated by the ongoing war in Palestine and the atrocities Israel committed. Furthermore, they mentioned that they would retreat their military activity in the region of the strait if the previously mentioned war came to a ceasefire while citing their controversial motto.
Most of the other delegates agreed on the fact that collaboration is one of the main keys to a peaceful resolution with mediatory meetings between parties or even a violent one suggested by the delegate of the UAE, pointing fingers at Iran for supplying The Houthi Movement with weapons and other resources and stating that negotiations will not be possible and that the people of Houthi are scrumptious…. Is this a rare case of cannibalism??
After a moderated caucus on the topic of safety measures for civilian ships, it was concluded that the delegate of UAE has a strong stance against the Houthi Movement.
After a short coffee break and a round of wholesome gossip, the second committee started with discussions about the reasoning behind Houthi Movement violence in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. The formal session ended with the controversial proposal from China to transform the Houthi Movement into a puppet state to extend their influence, together with the USA, which implied that they would not affiliate with such terrorist states.
The start of the third session, after a well-deserved lunch break, saw 3 weddings, officiated by the Chairpersons, which concluded the relationship between the delegate of Yemen and the representative of the Houthi Movement, a true enemies to lovers story. Following this, a tournament of placard raising was organized which the delegate of the Russian Federation won in the final against the delegate of the USA, a huge loss of influence and power. The committee continued addressing the spheres of influence in the region during a moderated caucus proposed by the delegate of the USA. There the option of dividing the Red Sea coast of Yemen between their government and the Houthi Movement was discussed, which the chairpersons ruled off.
The fourth committee session started with a brainstorming session in search of potential feasible solutions. In the end, an unmoderated caucus to research and decide the terms of implementing a tax for the shipping companies and of a UN mission in Yemen was proposed. The fifth and final committee of the day saw Egypt suggesting an international task force to ensure safety in the region, and the delegate of UAE pointing fingers at the delegates of Iran and the Houthi Movement saying that such groups cannot be trusted. In the end, the delegate of Micronesia intervened in order to put the delegates on the right track.
The second day of the XIXth edition of GalMUN has ended and left us with lots of unanswered questions, such as: What will the rest of the solutions be? How will they be implemented in the future? Will the recently married couples resort to a divorce? We will certainly find these answers tomorrow during the 3rd day of the GalMUN.
Day 3
Today, the third day of the XIXth edition of GalMUN begins. Everyone is eager to debate the already proposed solutions and hear what other suggestions will be made. Will everything be resolved through cooperation and peace, or will things escalate even more?
The first session of the day started with a speech from the delegate of the USA in which they proposed the solution of taking surveillance footage from satellites and ships within the region, in order to enforce the tax solution discussed yesterday. Some of the delegates also agreed, but the representative of the Houthi Movement implied that the pictures taken could be used as propaganda and altered with programs or AI. After entertaining speeches in the GSL, a motion for a Tour de Table was proposed by the Chairpersons, in which the delegates further debated the solutions, adding more ideas such as patrols in the region and communication facilities.
The second session of the day debuted with another round of wholesome gossip written by the delegates. Following that, the Chairpersons reserved a few minutes to explain how to create a resolution and how to send amendments. The DSG joined the session in order to help the committee agree to a resolution. In the end, an agreement between Yemen and the Houthi Movement was reached in order for the Houthis to have at least one representative in Yemen’s parliament, and a treaty between UK, USA, Saudi Arabia and Iran was reached in order to mediate the conflict. After the lunch break, accompanied by a secret treasure hunt, the debate commenced with an informal session addressing questions regarding the procedure of writing a treaty and an agreement. The delegate of Iran stated that they will offer financial and humanitarian support and stop financing the Houthis with a percentage of their current share. The delegates of the UK and the US will provide the same donations, and stop the bombardments in the region. The delegates of Yemen and of the Houthi Movement were also trying to reach an agreement to ease the tensions. The agreement is to be held in Oman, in Salalah, and mediated by the Government of Russia.
The fourth committee session started with an extension of the caucus in order for the delegates to finish the treaty and the agreement followed by a quick round of gossip. The last committee started with the GSL, followed by another unmoderated caucus on the topic of finishing the articles of the treaty. The caucus was extended and the Chairpersons, together with the DSG, started to create comments for the delegates to correct in their treaty.
The delegates have done amazing work today and we are eager to see them sign the agreement and the treaty tomorrow during the General Assembly.
Day 4
Today is the last day of the XIXth edition of GalMUN and also the last committee session. Delegates of every nation gathered and finished the treaty with feedback from the chairpersons.
During the GSL, the main signers and the rest of the committee entertained speeches about how efficient they consider the treaty and the Salalah Agreement to be for the Security Concerns in the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. In POIs the delegates of powerful nations asked about future influence in the region, the usual fight between the East and the West, and the economic well-being.
In the end, delegates signed each other’s placards and said their bittersweet goodbyes before the start of the General Assembly where their works will be read and signed.