• The issue of regulating lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS)

• The question of nuclear states and nuclear umbrellas 

It was an honour to work with Ms. Adika, who is currently in her third year at UNIS Hanoi as part of the ECC faculty. She shared that what she values the most about UNIS is the strong and supportive community. 

Before joining us at UNIS, Ms.Adika taught in New Zealand, China, Denmark, and now Vietnam, bringing with her 20 years of experience in international education. She is also a UN Young Leaders alumnus, having trained in multilateral diplomacy with UNITAR in Geneva, and holds a master's in Children’s Rights and Childhood Studies. Passionate about human rights, equity, and justice, she explained that this commitment has always motivated her career in education.

When asked about her familiarity with MUN and UNISMUN, Ms.Adika explained that she understands the general structure but appreciated learning more about the role of a committee chair. She emphasized the importance of building trust with co-chairs, clear communication, and strong collaboration across delegates to ensure efficient meetings.

For advice on leading a committee, Ms.Adika recommended assigning distinct roles to avoid overlap, creating clear agendas for meetings, and celebrating small wins to keep the work ethic. She also stressed the need for honesty and transparency in supporting delegates, offering them time to prepare and following up when necessary. 

To conclude, Ms.Adika highlighted that strong organization, time management, and cooperation between co-chairs are essential for success. Her insights will be invaluable as our chair team prepares for the upcoming conference.

It was an honour to work with Ms. Amber, who is in her second year working as an MS counsellor at UNIS. She shared her experiences and insights as one of our mentors for the upcoming UNISMUN conference. She reflected on what drew her to UNIS Hanoi, the welcoming atmosphere and the sense of community that have made the school a meaningful place for her work.

Her path to education was not straightforward. Having first pursued a career as an actor, she later transitioned into teaching, where she discovered a deep passion for guiding and supporting students. This journey reinforced her belief that education is not only about academic learning but also about building a unique, one-of-a-kind character and empathy.

When asked about advice for chairs in creating an inclusive community, Ms. Amber stressed the importance of clarifying the purpose of icebreakers, that they should go beyond fun and instead help delegates find common ground and build trust. She also emphasized the need to establish clear group norms as chairs before the debate, encouraging delegates to assume good intentions and treat one another as collaborators rather than rivals.

While struggling is natural, Ms. Amber noted that what matters is being open about those struggles, so the committee can offer support. She strongly advised that AI should never be used under any circumstances, as authentic effort and learning are essential to the process.

Finally, Ms. Amber encouraged all chairs to trust themselves, lean on each other, and learn collectively from each other. Her advice focuses on the values of integrity, openness, and collaboration, which are principles that will help strengthen not only the conference but also develop every participant in the conference. 

Welcome, honourable chairs, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests,

My name is Jeongwon Choi, currently a sophomore at British International School Hanoi. I am deeply honoured to serve as the head chair for General Assembly 1 at the UNISMUN N2025 conference. This marks my second UNISMUN conference, and I am truly excited for engaging, thoughtful and passionate debate.

This year’s conference theme, ‘The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility,’ aligns closely with the work of the General Assembly 1. It reminds us that while every nation has the sovereign right to ensure its own defense, this power must come with accountability and respect for global peace-especially when we discuss the ‘the regulation of Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems,’ and ‘the questions of nuclear states and nuclear umbrellas.’ Both topics challenge us to think about how far sovereignty should go when technology and deterrence have power to shape humanity’s future. Thus, I encourage all delegates to approach these topics with a strong awareness that true sovereignty comes with a duty to uphold peace and shared accountability.

The General Assembly 1 plays a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability by addressing threats to international security and fostering disarmament. Our committee focuses on topics such as arms control, the use of emerging technologies in warfare, and the promotion of global trust among member states. The work of GA1 is pivotal because peace and security are the foundations upon which all other forms of progress are built.

As your chair, I hope GA1 becomes a place where every delegate feels welcome to speak, challenge ideas, and think beyond policy: to the people affected by it. Don’t be afraid to take bold stances, but always listen with empathy. I can’t wait to see the meaningful discussions and creative solutions you’ll bring to the table.

Thank you, and welcome once again to GA1!

Honourable chairs, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests of the house,

My name is Pham Minh Khoi, a sophomore at Singapore International School Gamuda Gardens. This marks my third UNISMUN conference, and my first as chair. I am honoured to serve as the deputy chair for General Assembly 1, and I look forward to a fruitful and enjoyable conference.

The theme of this November’s conference, ‘The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility’, plays a crucial role in answering the questions asked in General Assembly 1. It is true that countries have their own sovereign rights and independence in their actions and decisions, such as deciding upon their own defence policy and actions; it cannot, however, be used as an excuse to not take responsibility in international affairs, especially when it comes to peace and stability. Hence, I strongly believe that a balance must be found, where sovereignty of all countries and states is respected and responsibility is held, likewise, by all countries and states.

The General Assembly 1 committee, also known as the Disarmament and International Security Committee, handles disarmament as well as challenges to global peace and stability. It is perhaps one of the most important components of the United Nations, working in tandem with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs amongst other organs of the UN to disarm, build trust and positive relations, and pave the way forward for a safer future.

The first topic is on “The Issue of Regulating Lethal Autonomous Weapon Systems (LAWS)”. LAWS have existed since the 20th century, with land mines being a form of rudimentary LAWS, however the development of more advanced artificial intelligence and technology has made it a more pressing issue, especially in regards to the ethics of such weapons and of global peace and stability. The second topic is on “The Question of Nuclear States and Umbrellas”, which highlights the fragile state of global peace and stability, and brings light to the global security issues of nuclear weapons and deterrence.

These are crucial questions demanding a delicate balance of both sovereign respect and accountability, and I look forward to the diplomatic discussions around these topics.

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

My name is Seonghyeon Park, a senior at the United Nations International School of Hanoi. It is an utter pleasure to serve as the Procedural Chair for General Assembly 1 for this upcoming November 2025 conference. This conference marks my sixth UNISMUN conference, with this being my first as a chair.

The theme of this year’s conference, “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility,” Addresses one of the most significant conflicts in our international order. While sovereignty is crucial to the independence of states, it cannot be used as a shield against responsibility for global peace and stability. I firmly believe that sovereignty should serve as the cornerstone of cooperation, enabling countries to strike a balance between national interests and shared responsibilities.

The General Assembly 1, also known as the Disarmament and International Security Committee (DISEC), plays a critical role in maintaining peace among nations and security. As the body entrusted with disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control, GA1 ensures that the world does not fall into destabilizing arms races and instead fosters trust, dialogue, and cooperation among nations. It not only maintains peace but also promotes development. 

Our first topic, “The Issue of Regulating Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS),” is a defining challenge of modern warfare. The rapid advancements of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems have created a pressing dilemma between military innovation and ethical responsibility. The second topic, “The Question of Nuclear States and Nuclear Umbrellas,” calls attention to the fragile balance of power and deterrence that defines our global security structure. Both issues demand a consideration of sovereignty, responsibility, and the future of international law. 

These discussions underscore the need for cooperation, innovation, and foresight. I look forward to witnessing the creativity, diplomacy, and critical thinking that each delegate will bring to our committee as we work together to address these challenges.