On the Membership of Catalonia

Honourable directors, fellow delegates, and most esteemed guests,

My name is Soohyun Nam, and I am an 8th-grade student at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. For the UNISMUN November 2026 conference, I will be serving as a head chair for the United Nations Membership Council.

I have been part of UNISMUN since November 2024, when I was in grade 6. This is my fifth conference and my second time attending as a chair.I am truly honoured to hold the position of Head Chair for the November 2026 conference.

The theme for the November 2026 conference will be "To what extent can multilateralism remain effective in an increasingly divided world?" Multilateralism means countries working together and supporting one another to solve global problems such as war, conflict, and food and water insecurity. However, as the world advances and modernizes, connections are weakening, and a multipolar world—where countries develop competing interests and engage in rivalry—is emerging. This theme addresses the effectiveness of multilateralism, in other words, cooperation between countries in today’s increasingly divided world. It includes issues such as global trade, wars, and universal agreements.

Debating this topic matters because it can greatly affect future generations by shaping daily life and determining how safe, healthy, and wealthy we will be.  We already see significant changes today. Powerful countries are blocking one another, and as a result, the UN has been unable to stop global conflicts—such as the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, which has lasted for over four years. In addition, according to the WTO (World Trade Organization) and IMF (International Monetary Fund), data show a rise in aggressive tariff wars. The US's refusal to allow new judgment in the global trade system has hindered dispute resolution, while heavy tariffs on foreign goods have strained supply chains. If this situation continues, there is a strong possibility of higher inflation, loss of innovation, economic paralysis, and even warfare in the future. Therefore, it is crucial for delegates to debate and consider different perspectives by listening to one another’s opinions and reflecting on the importance of multilateralism in our world.

While the main theme of the conference is "To what extent can multilateralism remain effective in an increasingly divided world?" UNMC will be mainly focusing on the topic “On the membership of Catalonia.” This concerns where Catalonia, a small but wealthy region in Spain, fits within the EU (European Union). Catalonia has its own distinct language, culture, and government; however, it is not an independent country and remains dependent on Spain. It is important for delegates to debate this issue because Catalonia’s push for independence challenges the structure of democratic nations.  If Catalonia were to gain recognition as an independent country, it could impact Spain's economy and encourage other regions, such as those in the UK and Belgium, to break apart. This also challenges EU rules, which state that if a regional member leaves a country, it is expelled from the EU and must reapply for membership.

I hope this conference will provide delegates with opportunities to grow in cooperation and leadership, and  I look forward to creative ideas and engaging discussions throughout the conference. Thank you for your participation in the UNISMUN November 2026 conference.

Kind regards, 

Soohyun

Honorable Director, Fellow Chairs, Distinguished Guests, and Most Esteemed Delegates,

My name is Nikhil Crishna Chaudhuri, an 8th-grade student at UNIS Hanoi. It is a great honor to serve as a Deputy Chair of the United Nations Membership Council (UNMC) for this conference.

I have been a part of MS UNISMUN since the November 2025 conference. Having been in 2 previous conferences, I’ve seen how it runs from multiple perspectives, previously serving as both a delegate and an admin. This is my 3rd year participating in Model United Nations and this conference marks a milestone for me as it is my very first time stepping into the role of a chair.

As a first-time chair, I am still mastering our procedures, but I am fully prepared to manage our committee effectively. I am committed to supporting every delegate and ensuring we follow parliamentary procedure to the best of my ability.

The theme of the conference this year is: “To what extent can multilateralism remain effective in an increasingly divided world?” Although rivalries among authoritative countries temporarily stop treaties, multilateralism remains very important for keeping up global trade and communication networks. On the other hand, nations are forming smaller, specialized relations to address these challenges. The specific theme of the UNMC isOn the Membership of Catalonia”. Catalonia is not recognized as one of the members in the United Nations because the government of the Kingdom of Spain identifies the region as a part of itself.

 Chapter II of Article 4 of the UN Charter talks about membership and joining the UN. This includes being able to carry out specific obligations, and being a peace-loving state. As well as what has been previously mentioned, for a state to join the UN, they have to be recognised as an independent country by other countries. Catalonia has not reached these standards yet.

I am really looking forward to seeing how our delegates learn and explore these complex world issues currently happening right now. I am ready to see what the N2026 conference will bring. Let's work together to make sure that this conference is engaging, and fun while maintaining a high standard of work ethic. 

Thank you, and I look forward to an incredibly productive couple of days.

Warm regards,

Nikhil Crishna Chaudhuri