Report

Report

Report

Honorable chairs, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests, 

My name is Joan Kim, a sophomore at UNIS Hanoi. I am honored to be serving as the UNMC head chair for the UNISMUN November 2026 conference. Throughout my time participating in MUN, I’ve gone to appreciate MUN for its rigorous debate, necessity for communication, and application to the real world. It has given me an insight into the world of global politics as well as left me with a liking for debate. This conference marks my 6th time chairing and my 12th MUN conference. I hope that with my experience I will be able to make this conference enjoyable for everyone involved. 

This conference’s theme is “To what extent can multilateralism remain effective in an increasingly divided world?” This theme brings up the issue of whether or not multilateralism (an approach to international relations based on communication and cooperation) would still be applicable in a world that becomes increasingly separated. With the China and US rivalry negatively impacting the global economics and ongoing regional conflicts, this issue remains highly relevant. This theme is also applicable to the UNMC committee, the United Nations Membership Council, which deals with the membership of emerging states as the division of the world may act as a road block for these emerging countries to be able to achieve a status that is already difficult to reach. 

UNMC, or the United Nations Membership Council is a specialized committee that works with the admission of new members into the United Nations. It reviews each applicant against the UN charter and other crucial documents to determine whether or not the applicant will be admitted to the United Nations. Approved applications are then forwarded to the Security Council or the General Assembly for the final determination. 

As for the topics, the UNMC’s first topic is on the membership of Catalonia. Catalonia is currently an autonomous community of Spain. With Catalonia already having a history in declaring independence, its independence would have a significant impact at a regional level and an international level. Catalonia’s independence would significantly impact the Spanish economy and would be a new precedent for other aspiring non-state nations. 

The second topic is on the membership of Puerto Rico. As an unincorporated territory of the United States, Puerto Rico holds a unique position between the aspiring nations. Puerto Rican citizens are granted US citizenship at birth, however, are unable to participate in votes and have no voting representation in congress. This is further complicated by how Puerto Rico’s island wide plebiscites have often resulted in a near 50/50 split between those wishing to achieve independence and those who wish to remain a part of the United States. 

The topics of UNMC will be difficult as they are topics with no real answer and require extensive research into what position a certain country may hold. These topics will require creativity and a strong motivation to understand the further implications of the results of these debates. 

I’m looking forward to meeting you all and seeing what you have in store for our debate sessions.

See you all in November,

Joan Kim

Honorable chairs, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests,

My name is Henry Hoang and I am a junior at Concordia Hanoi. I am honored to serve as the UNMC deputy chair for the UNISMUN November 2026 conference. This conference will mark my 6th conference, first time as chair, and 3rd year in MUN. I have seen how MUN can be a platform that not only builds delegates’ understanding of geopolitical issues, but also develops an individual’s character and confidence to present their ideas in a room. 

Looking at this year’s theme, “To what extent can multilateralism remain effective in an increasingly divided world?”The question raises ideas of ways countries can cooperate diplomatically in order to address global issues, especially when more developed countries take advantage of their powers to undermine others. This theme connects to me personally as it gives the opportunity for countries to hear different lenses, similar to how MUN provides the chance for the understanding of many perspectives. This theme calls delegates to work together in finding bold solutions.

The United Nations Membership Council is not a standalone branch of the real-world United Nations; instead, it refers to the Committee of the Admission of New Members which corresponds to the functions of UNSC and the General Assembly. However, UNMC plays an essential role in leading the process of admitting a new member state through the application submission and review process that flows through the whole of the United Nations. Membership in the UN is the primary stamp of legitimacy and sovereignty for a state in modern international relations as it unlocks access to diplomatic recognition. In a world with territorial disputes and self-determination, the UNMC is at the forefront of ensuring equality for each member-state. 

The first topic of UNMC addresses “The Membership of Catalonia” in international bodies such as the UN or EU. This topic is important as it tests the limits of constitutional order in Europe as Catalonia’s independence sets a major precedent for stateless nations worldwide such as Scotland and Quebec, who also aim for autonomous rule within government bodies. The decision on the membership of Catalonia shapes the future of sub-national diplomacy and how autonomous communities can aim for global diplomacy. 

The second topic of UNMC tackles “The Membership of Puerto Rico” in the United Nations which centers on whether an island of 3.2 million U.S people citizens is a self-governing entity. While still and unincorporated territory of the U.S, the debate of the membership of Puerto Rico is controversial as even though the UN passed Resolution 748 in 1953, removing Puerto Rico from the list of “Non-Self Governing Entities”, in the modern day it is still viewed at as a colony because Puerto Ricans lack voting representation in the Congress and for the U.S President. This topic creates a dilemma between granting self-determination to Puerto Rico while addressing the United States power over the island. 

While the topics in UNMC are still an ongoing topic, I urge delegates to think outside the norm and find ways to tackle this issue creatively, at the same time, acknowledging the ideas of other delegates on the problem and find ways to incorporate them accordingly. I hope each and everyone of you will have a fun and diplomatic time at UNISMUN26 Nov! 

See you in November,

Henry Hoang

Honorable chairs and distinguished delegates,

This is probably my 8th MUN conference, and I am extremely proud to take the role of your Procedural Chair for the United Nations Membership Council (UNMC). Some facts about me out of committee sessions: I really like making music and playing sports to keep my life well-rounded and energetic. And over time, I came to love Model United Nations not just for its intense academic debate, but especially for its social nature and great opportunity to get acquainted with new interesting people, share views, and create long-lasting global connections

Speaking of our general conference topic: “To what extent can multilateralism continue being effective in an increasingly divided world?”, it is obvious that division of political and ideological nature demands more active participation from the international community of diplomats, and not retreat into isolation. Being in the era of changing geopolitical alliances and growing national conflicts, the best way to maintain global peace and security can always be only multilateralism. Nevertheless, multilateral collaboration will be effective only when we as global citizens and diplomats are prepared to listen to each other, make compromises, and reach a consensus.

My appeal to all the delegates sitting in this committee could not be any clearer: get out of your ideological stalemates, form unexpected alliances, and prove through your resolutions that international cooperation really works. Since its regulation of access routes to international membership and sovereignty, the United Nations Membership Council plays an extremely important role in the real world of global governance. United Nations membership is the ultimate certification of international recognition and sovereignty which opens up crucial diplomatic channels and protection under international laws.

The reason for my personal involvement with the particular agenda items at hand is because of the complicated relations these two members have with such matters as self-determination, constitutional law, and international sovereignty. These two topics are not just academic debates but the very future of millions of people in terms of their autonomy and cultural identity. Moreover, these two topics set the stage for how international laws and international organizations should handle the issue of the balancing of state territorial integrity with the aspirations of self-determination in sovereign states. I am looking forward to seeing you deal with these complex issues, challenge some preconceptions, and engage in healthy debates. Enjoy your conference!