• The question of enhancing legal frameworks for the prevention & punishment of human trafficking

• The question of addressing the impacts of maritime conflicts

• The question of combating transnational drug trafficking in Southeast Asia through cross-border cooperation

Honorable chairs, distinguished delegates, and most esteemed guests,

My name is Joan Kim, a freshman at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. This conference will be my 9th conference and my 4th as chair. I am honored to serve as the head chair of ASEAN for the UNISMUN M26 conference.

The conference as a whole will revolve around the general theme, “Is our rules based international system able to adapt to contemporary challenges to security and sovereignty?”. This theme begs the question as to whether or not current international issues, such as those involving the United States president, Donald Trump, that are more into the gray zone in terms of legislation can be addressed with the international basis that still stands today. 

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic organization with a similar goal in mind to try and boost economic growth, foster political relations, and increase trade rates. In short, this is an organization formed to uphold cooperation across nations of a similar geographical location. This committee is a key part of our theme of this conference as an inter-continental organization, it helps us consider if even regional based systems are able to adapt to the challenges faced today.

The three topics up for debate at this conference are: “The question of enhancing legal frameworks for the prevention & punishment of human trafficking”, “The question of addressing the impacts of maritime conflicts”, and “The question of combating transnational drug trafficking in Southeast Asia through cross-border cooperation”. These topics all connect back to the overarching theme. The first topic brings attention to the possibility of a needed change in regulations. It helps to address a serious issue of human trafficking, one of the most prominent issues of Southeast Asia, with Southeast Asia being one of the most intense regions of this problem. While the second thinks through the lasting impacts of maritime conflicts, an important issue given the ongoing problems within the South China Sea, driven by sovereignty claims. Lastly, the third helps to reconsider an issue present in the past to fit today’s environment. It's a problematic issue with the “Golden triangle” being within the South Asian land. All these topics help to evaluate the current set security measures for international systems and debate on whether this is enough or if there needs to be adjustments to achieve an ideal society. 

I hope that with this conference, I myself will be able to grow as a chair, but also help guide delegates along the way to ensure lots of fruitful discussions in ASEAN as delegates reach for higher levels of debating skills and political knowledge. I look forward to this conference in March!

Best regards,

Joan Kim

Greetings honorable directors, fellow chairs, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests, 

My name is Hyunsoo Cho, a sophomore attending St. Paul American School Hanoi. I am truly honored to serve as the Deputy Chair of ASEAN in the upcoming March 2026 UNISMUN Conference. This conference marks my seventh conference, and my first as a chair.

The theme of this March 2026 conference is “Is our rules-based international system able to adapt to contemporary challenges to security and sovereignty?” This question reminds us that modern security and sovereignty are deeply interconnected. As global challenges evolve in both scale and complexity, nations must examine whether our existing frameworks are flexible enough to uphold sovereign authority while also strengthening cooperative approaches to security. 

ASEAN—the Association of Southeast Asian Nations—addresses regional challenges and cooperation, focusing on security, economic coordination, and long-term development across Southeast Asia. By promoting dialogue, strengthening economic collaboration, and confronting mutual challenges, the committee aims to develop unified solutions that benefit all member states. 

In this conference, this committee will be debating these three topics: “The question of enhancing legal frameworks for the prevention & punishment of human trafficking”, “The question of addressing the impacts of maritime conflicts”, and “The question of combating transnational drug trafficking in Southeast Asia through cross-border cooperation.” These issues are of significant relevance to the ASEAN region, as they require delegates to balance legal responsibility, humanitarian considerations, and state sovereignty when formulating practical and regionally appropriate solutions.

The first topic, “The question of enhancing legal frameworks for the prevention & punishment of human trafficking,” examines the limitations of existing national and regional laws in addressing a rapidly evolving transnational crime. Delegates are expected to consider weaknesses in current laws, enforcement practices, and victim protection systems that limit effective prevention and prosecution. Through the debate, the committee will work to explore ways to strengthen legal coordination and accountability while respecting the different legal systems of ASEAN member states. 

“The question of addressing the impacts of maritime conflicts,” our second topic, centers on how disputes at sea affect regional stability and relations, commercial shipping, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. This topic focuses on the broader consequences of maritime tensions, including economic disruption and humanitarian concerns arising from contested waters. Delegates will work toward approaches that mitigate conflict, reduce escalation, and support adherence to international maritime laws. 

Lastly, “The question of combating transnational drug trafficking in Southeast Asia through cross-border cooperation” addresses the growing challenges posed by illicit drug networks that operate across national boundaries. This topic emphasizes the need for stronger information sharing, coordinated law enforcement efforts, and regional trust among ASEAN member states. Addressing this challenge requires a coordinated regional approach that moves beyond isolated national efforts and instead prioritizes sustained collaboration among countries. Greater coordination and mutual support can strengthen collective responses to transnational drug trafficking and help reduce its long-term impact on Southeast Asia. 

I believe that this conference will be a meaningful and memorable experience for all delegates as well as me as a chair. I look forward to productive discussions and the opportunity to see delegates engage thoughtfully with the topics throughout the conference. 

Thank you, and see you in March! 

Greetings honorable directors, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests, 

My name is Sokna, a junior attending International School of Phnom Penh. I am truly honored to serve as the Procedural Chair of ASEAN in the upcoming March 2026 UNISMUN Conference. This conference marks my eigth conference, and my fourth as a chair. 

This year, our theme is: “Is our rules-based international system able to adapt to contemporary challenges to security and sovereignty?” This question is particularly relevant as we tackle the complexities of transnational drug trafficking. It brings attention to how current frameworks must evolve to meet the pressing challenges within our region. 

ASEAN, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plays an important role in promoting political and economic cooperation among its member states. Our committee focuses on collaborative approaches to regional challenges, including the pressing issue of drug trafficking that impacts public health and safety across Southeast Asia. 

During this conference, we will focus on three crucial topics: “Enhancing legal frameworks for the prevention and punishment of human trafficking,” “Addressing the impacts of maritime conflicts,” and “Combating transnational drug trafficking in Southeast Asia through cross-border cooperation.” Each topic emphasizes the importance of regional collaboration in tackling pressing issues. The first topic, “Enhancing legal frameworks for the prevention and punishment of human trafficking,” focuses on the need for stronger legal protections and mechanisms across ASEAN. Delegates will be expected analyze current gaps and explore ways to enhance victim protection and legal cooperation among member states. The second topic, “Addressing the impacts of maritime conflicts,” considers the implications of territorial disputes on regional stability and trade. Our discussions will focus on strategies to mitigate tensions and promote adherence to international maritime law. Whereas the third topic, “Combating transnational drug trafficking in Southeast Asia through cross-border cooperation” will underscore the urgency of a unified response to drug trafficking networks. Delegates will discuss the importance of intelligence sharing and collaborative law enforcement to strengthen our regional defense to combat this challenge. 

As we engage with these topics, I hope that everyone will be able to critically and creatively produce quality discussions for developing effective resolutions. I will also strive to aid and support delegates and chairs while making this an enjoyable and memorable experience for everyone. I look forward to seeing everyone in March and best of luck with your preparations!

Best regards, 

Sokna