Global Crisis Simulations at TES MUN 2024 Highlight Climate Induced Disasters and Geopolitical Tensions.

By Pranisha Kunwar Chhetri, Chief Editor for TES News

10 September 2024

The General assembly  unfolded dramatic international discussions on September 10,2024 , focusing on catastrophic climate-induced disasters and their far-reaching geopolitical consequences. The crisis was sparked by a major glacial lake outburst in the Himalayan region, triggering severe floods across Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Bhutan. These floods led to large-scale displacement, economic downturns, and rising tensions among regional powers.

The session, led by the Crisis Head, began with an intense display of the flood's aftermath on screen, showing widespread destruction and refugee movements across borders. Natural anomalies like monsoon rains and heat waves were implicated in the outburst, and the conversation quickly turned to the collapse of infrastructure and economic stagnation in the affected countries.

The United States(Progress Dhakal of DISEC) questioned why Middle Eastern countries, already grappling with their own crises, should assist, expressing hesitation due to the region's internal struggles. “Why should we invest in aiding others when our own resources are stretched thin?” the U.S. delegate asked pointedly during the session.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s delegate(Ashray Regmi of DISEC) directed criticism at China, stating, "China’s production of plastic and environmental negligence has fueled the very climate crisis that led to this disaster." The delegate also noted that the flood was exacerbating tensions in an already volatile region.

The delegates of China and India were embroiled in a heated debate. The delegate of China (Sanskar Pokhrel of UNEP) accused India of playing the victim, insisting that India’s lack of supervision caused the crisis. “India needs to stop blaming others for its own regulatory failures,” China’s delegate asserted.

Nepal’s delegate (Grishma Shrestha of UNEP) echoed the sentiment that China had impacted the country’s development negatively, saying, “As a developing country, Nepal has borne the brunt of China’s reckless industrial policies.” However, the delegate of China (Eshan Sharma of HRC) refuted these claims, responding that they have lived in harmony with nature and taken extensive steps to address pollution.

The rivalry between Pakistan and India was reignited, with the delegate of India (Sagun Dura of UNEP)  accusing Pakistan of failing to take adequate measures to combat pollution and disasters. "Pakistan’s negligence has made the entire region vulnerable,” India’s delegate charged.

The crisis took a darker turn when updates revealed that resource shortages, driven by the same catastrophic floods, were destabilizing water supplies in Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Mass refugee movements and the rise of terrorist groups in the Middle East intensified, with Russia, China, and the U.S. backing opposing proxy groups. “This is not just a regional disaster. It’s becoming a global security threat,” France's delegate warned, as the situation spiraled into a geopolitical struggle.

France and China were accused of profiting from the chaos, allegedly hoarding resources like water and fuel while offering humanitarian aid as a guise for influence. "It is outrageous that while the world suffers, some nations use this disaster as an opportunity to consolidate power,” Brazil’s  delegate(Ishan Sharma of DISEC)  said, pointing fingers at EU and SCO nations. The delegate of Switzerland(Angella Dolma Lama of HRC)  followed up, accusing Russia and China of “funneling resources to proxy groups under the cover of providing humanitarian aid.”

The day ended with a shocking military escalation. NATO reportedly conducted drone strikes on Russian oil reserves, provoking immediate retaliation from Russia’s allies, including China and North Korea. “We have hit critical trade points. This retaliation is only the beginning,” stated NATO’s delegates ominously.

The delegate of Russia’s(Kabya Adhikari of ECOSOC) response was swift and pointed, with missiles targeting NATO military headquarters in China and Russia, marking a dangerous turn in the conflict. The delegate of Saudi Arabia (Sakchyam Adhikari of ECOSOC), recognizing the looming disaster, pleaded for peace, stating, “If this proxy war doesn’t end soon, we will have no choice but to prepare for a world war.”

As the situation spiraled out of control, few delegates issued a stark warning that failure to resolve the proxy wars and resource conflicts could lead to World War III. In an urgent appeal, they offered to mediate a peace treaty, but whether these efforts will materialize remains uncertain. “We are on the brink of disaster,” Saudi Arabia’s delegate(Sakchyam Adhikari of ECOSOC) declared.

With such an approach, an unmoderated caucus was declared for creating resolution with  a sobering reminder of the delicate balance between environmental crises and geopolitical stability. Delegates in the committee grappled with complex issues of climate-induced displacement, political influence, and resource shortages, creating two resolutions titled Resolution 9.1 & 9.2. The committee successfully passed the  resolution 9.2  after hours of rigorous debate and negotiation. The resolution, which focused on addressing the crisis and urging the USA,EU,NATO and SCO received overwhelming support from the delegates, marking a significant step forward in addressing the global challenges discussed during the session.