CCBMUN
Press
International Maritime Organization
The Official CCBMUNXVIII will be covering two topics, 'The effects of COVID-19 on overseas trade, transportation and the integrity of seafarers' and 'Chinese militarization of the Indian Ocean'
Topics
Model
Topic 1: The effects of COVID-19 on overseas trade, transportation and the integrity of seafarers
Topic 2: Chinese militarization of the Indian Ocean
Presidents
President: Juan Pablo Hernández
School: Colegio Colombo Británico
President: Alejandro Llanos
School: Colegio Colombo Británico
Contact: imo@ccbcali.edu.co
Dear Delegates,
The International Maritime Organization, abbreviated to IMO, is a branch of the United Nations which takes the form of a specialized agency. Established in 1948 in the Geneva Conference, the IMO has always been crucial in mediating all aspects of shipping and sea transportation. Delegates in this commission are expected to discuss and resolve maritime matters and regulations such as safety, technicalities, law and legal situations, security and efficiency in sea transport and even environmental matters. Finally, IMO provides the opportunity to address both past and present topics, further increasing the range of coverage this commission has.
We look forward to receiving you in the upcoming model.
"
CCBMUNXVIII
Day 1
By: Catalina Gómez
The IMO, abbreviation to the International Maritime Organization, is a branch of the United Nations that takes the form of a specialized agency. Today in the CCBMUN model, the effects of COVID-19 on overseas trade, transportation and the integrity of Seafarers, is being discussed by all delegations.
The day started with the opening speeches, in which every country stated their position towards the topic. Russia stated that it was important to unite the sea force, and apply policies and regulations regarding exportations. The United States also mentioned that it was important to unite during this pandemic and the Republic of India mentioned that they have implemented strategic management plans.
After a quick break, delegates went into lobby time to make the resolution papers. The delegations of United States, the Republic of India, the Republic of Indonesia, the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Australia made the Working Paper 1.1, and recognized the following problems as some of the most critical and important ones: The recognition of rights for those seafarers who still remain in international water or foreign countries, and the lack of compliance regarding to curfews, policies, recommendations established among countries who make part of the IMO. Regarding these problems, some of the solutions they came up with were to implement global biosecurity protocols in vessels and curfew for working seferes to prevent the propagation of the virus. Have a global interconnected system that allows the constant monitoring of seafarers health in order to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The increase of a seasers maximum work cycle to avoid breaking off their contract due to quarantine. Ensuring clinical management, cleaning and disinfections of risk areas of contamination for every vessel arriving in international ports, making an re-evaluation of policies regarding international trade and exportations and placing clear procedures when dealing with repatriation of seafarers.
On the other hand, the Block 1.2 Working Paper who involved People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation and the Federal Republic of Germany, recognized the economy recuperation, overseas trade and the seafarers health and security as the main problematics. Consequently, the solutions they brought were about economic recuperations and overseas trade alliances to ensure prompt recuperation and growth; Advice and monetary aid, seeing some delegation that are part of the block have experienced epidemics before; The cooperation between nations for the sake of world trade and for providing biosecurity and crew evacuation support considering these are the top priority topics; Seafarers health and security based on scientific developments such as the vaccine being made by Russia, and also supporting without intervention on international scientific developments and research of vaccines.
Regarding the solutions mentioned above in the Working Paper 1.2, the United States wasn't in agreement with the usage of a vaccine as a fast solution, as this country states that the economy is a factor that is changing daily and this vaccine could take way too long to work properly. Reason why, the vaccine should not be a solution considered for now, but instead in a long term. India also did not support paper 1.2.
Day 2
By: Catalina Gómez
The day started with a debate regarding the effects of COVID-19 on overseas trade, transportation and the integrity of Seafarer. India started by stating that it was very important to continue with the economic trade, as COVID-19 had affected all countries' economies in a negative way. China mentioned that it was currently providing aid and that it was going to continue working with international organizations.
After this quick debate, the delegates had a lobby time to prepare the resolution papers. In the draft resolution 1.1, the heads of bloc were the United States and the Republic of India. The sponsors were Commonwealth of Australia, the Republic of Indonesia and the United Kingdom. Some of the solutions presented were to form an international trade alliance to facilitate the global maritime exports and importations, to implement global biosecurity protocols in vessels and curfew for working seafarers to prevent the propagation of the virus, to call upon international aid from developed countries regarding developing countries who need it, and suggest a global interconnected system that allow the constant monitoring of seafarers health in order to avoid the spread of the virus.
In the draft resolution 1.2 the heads of bloc were People's Republic of China, Russian Federation and the sponsor was the Federal Republic of Germany. Some of the resolutions they made were to provide unbiased advice to delegations that previously have had experience with epidemics similar to Covid-19, to have other delegations applying the port safety plans previously stated by the delegations of China and Russia, to call for international support and approval for the development of vaccines since these would represent a long-term solution of the virus, propose a virus contingency plan that allows seafarers to dock at the nearest country shore and afterwards go through medical tests and quarantine before returning to their home country and to recommend to other nations that in order to protect the health of the seafarers and ensure the continuous operation of trading ships, determined employment agreements to be renegotiated with their consent.
After the presentation of the draft resolution, came the voting, where the first draft resolution passed by simple majority and the second one didn't have the enough votes to pass. Consequently, the commission closed the agenda regarding topic one and started with the second topic.
The second topic of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is about the Chinese Militarization of the Indian Ocean. This is a result of this military expansion of this republic, and it is expected that in a short time China is going to be capable of intervening in a military capacity in this region. Especially for Indonesia and India, this poses a thread as both countries have unresolved border conflicts with China, and China’s military expansion could become a threat if tensions grow. The main cause for this is the lack of a maritime security architecture, and currently China has been strengthening its overseas military bases in the region.
During the opening speeches Australia mentioned that if India is affected, then this would have a repercussion in all the other commissions. Germany said this is a thread problem, as it affects international maritime organizations. The delegation mentioned that was completely against any nation that has expansionist interests. India was concerned and open to hear new proposals or agreements, as this caused a great caution to the country because it presents a threat to the national citizens because of possible military activities and Russia said that territorial limits are essential and important to respect.
As a response, the Republic of China said that world domination is just a conspiracy, and the United States said that the only solution to this was to disappear the chinese militarization in Indian oceans. Russia states that China isn't attracted to have economical power, but economical benefits over other nations to find a balance in the Indian oceans. After the debate, delegations had lobby time to start with the resolution papers.
Day 3
Day Three: Human Rights Council
By: Dalina Buitrago Sánchez
The debate started with the discussion of the draft resolutions of the past debate about the illegal imprisonment of Muslims in China. Points 1.1 being spoken by UK and USA, 1.2 being spoken by China and Russia. Both resolutions had some document issues and some wrong written stuff. 1.1 received only 9 votes against it, meanwhile 1.2 China and all the ones in favor failed to pass.
Delegates started by speaking about Russia, pointing out the problems, they all are trying to find a solution, a friendly solution, for human trafficking. UK started off by pointing out that the delegation is open to help in the most reasonable way.
Russia keeps defending the country by saying that they are aware of the problem and they have done everything that is on their hands to help solve it.
Most delegates are against this problem and know Russia is not doing much to help its own people. India intervened and shot a burning intervention against Ethiopia saying that the country should solve the trafficking and prostitution going on in their own place before saying the will help. How could they possibly help?
Everyone in favor of the delegation of Russia has said that it is business, but there are other ways, and morally correct ways, to make money. USA suggested that Russia needs monetary help, and the reason for this is because of government dishonesty.
Shortly after, a crisis was present. The president of USA, Donald Trump, showed up making a clear announcement. He wants to cut ties and any form of friendship with Russia. Made it clear that it is unacceptable to know what innocent people is going through in a recognized country like it is.
When the debate calm down though, the presidents were asked to exit the room briefly, Juan Sebastián Cifuentes asked all of the delegates to give their personal opinions on the presidents of the commission.
