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United Nations Environment Programme 

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Created in 1972, the UNEP commission focal point is environmental issues around the globe. Preservation of the environment is the overall goal that this commission is attempting to achieve. 

The Official CCBMUN will be covering two topics, 'Artisanal and small-scale mining' and 'Environmental repercussions of biomedical waste produced during the COVID-19 pandemic'.

Topics

Model 

Topic 1: Artisanal and small-scale mining

Topic 2: Environmental repercussions of biomedical waste produced during the COVID-19 pandemic

Presidents

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Screen Shot 2020-11-27 at 9.40.25 a.m..p

President: Mariana Monsalve

School: Colegio Colombo Británico Envigado

President: Antonia Tascón

School: Colegio Colombo Británico

Hello dear delegates.

 

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), founded in 1972 in the Country of Kenya, is a commission that focuses on the protection and care of the environment. It is the leading global environmental authority which sets a global environmental agenda and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mission is to provide leadership and partnership in caring for the environment, by informing, inspiring and enabling nations to improve their  quality of life without compromising future generations.

 

For this model, delegates will be discussing some of the world biggest environmental threats, such as waste management, illegal wildlife trade and small-scale mining. We expect our delegates to be fully committed to putting into practice their investigation and debating skills, while also demonstrating their ability to solve complex problems and efficiently communicate their countries' points of view. We encourage you to enjoy this model and hope to see you in our commission to find possible solutions to these problems.  Good luck!

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CCBMUNXVIII

Day 1

By: Michelle Karam

Artisanal and small-scale mining was the first topic discussed in the United Nations Environmental Programme. This means that independent miners, small companies or families with little to no mechanization. ASM is used in 80 countries, mostly developing ones. They collect products like gold and sell them. They belong to the informal market. Many countries' economies depend on Artisanal and small-scale mining. We can see that workers who perform in this sector experience intense manual labor, limited or no healthcare, low salaries, working with dangerous chemicals etc. In Artisanal and small-scale mining, the use of mercury in the process is very prominent.

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This element often ends up in the atmosphere and water, polluting these. The workers who are exposed to this can present health conditions such as brain, organ and nerve damage.  ASM also handles cyanide which is a very toxic chemical that can not only kill someone if ingested, but it can damage water supplies and crops. As of 2018, 1200 tons of mercury ended up in water and land.

 

In the debate today we saw different delegation’s positions regarding this topic. We saw that such as Japan and Indonesia and Guinea stand against the use of these chemicals, because they have highly damaged the environment and the population. But they still support artisanal mining because it provides the income of many communities and developing countries. To limit the use of harmful chemicals such as cyanide and mercury they provided some alternative sustainable methods of products for mining  such as smelting and panning.

 

We also saw another country’s point of view. In Mexico, its economy depends on the use and production of mercury for this purpose. They are in favor of Artisanal and small-scale mining with the use of these products because they are responsible for the livelihoods of many people. 

 

The delegates are currently trying to achieve a working paper that would propose a solution for this issue and would ensure a compromise between all countries.

Day 2

By: Michelle Karam

On day two of the United Nations Environmental Programme commission. The delegations proposed an agreement to manage agricultural and small scale mining. ASM is informal mining that usually has little resources and limited or no machinery. This form of mining uses dangerous chemicals such as cyanide and mercury that pose a threat to the environment and the miners. The delegations proposed two working papers. 

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The first one was presented by China, Colombia, European Union, India, Brazil and Mexico. This working paper proposed that wherever environmental damage occurs, these people would be fined and that money would be used to fix the damage. They also proposed that they would offer help to the people using mercury. They would also educate on illegal mining and offer physical and psychological aid to the people involved in this. 

The second working paper was by the U.S., Japan, Indonesia, Guinea, and Ghana. It proposed that ASM miners use different alternatives to harmful chemicals, better tools and infrastructure to prevent further damage to the environment and more. The delegations all signed the final resolution from the second working paper. 

After this, the second topic was introduced “Environmental repercussions of biomedical waste produced during the COVID-19 pandemic”. Biomedical waste is any waste that can present itself as a threat to humans in the form of an infection. This is divided into categories such as infectious, pathological, chemical, sharp, cytotoxic, radioactive and non-hazardous waste. The pandemic has led to a massive increase in this waste. With more people needing medical attention and masks being disposed etc. Delegations such as Guinea, India, Indonesia, and Japan found themselves worried about the massive increase in this waste. Disposable masks, gloves etc have been found everywhere, and have not been disposed of properly. 

CCBMUNXVII

Simulation Day

What is the Garbage Bin of the World?

By: Julieta Erazo

In the commission of UNEP, delegates debated the topic of waste management in developing countries. Waste management are the actions required to regulate waste from its initiation to its clearance. This reduces negative effects on human health and the environment. However inaccurate waste management activities can:

 

-  Increase disease transmission or otherwise threaten public health. 

-  Contaminate ground and surface water. 

-  Create greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants. 

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The main concern is the lack of waste management that affects both waste-producing countries and countries all around the world that besides affecting the environment, biodiversity, and human health is affecting everyone. 

The delegate of South Africa suggested that other topics should be the priority instead of this one, while the delegate of  Indonesia advised that part of solving this problem is via education which most of the countries agreed upon. The presidents had to interpret a delegation in order to light the debate. The commission was divided in two positions: one led by South Africa and United States and the other one by Indonesia and India. After a while, the chair brought a crisis that consisted in  four victims who suffered the effects of a ship sent by the United States, Japan and  South Africa. Afterwards, the delegation of United States apologized and claimed their intentions weren’t bad. It is likely that the delegation will agree on a solution that will benefit most of them, suiting with all the nations expectations and monetary resources.

Day 1 

United Nation Environment Programme

By: Julieta Erazo

The commission of UNEP delegated today about the Environmental repercussions of overexploitation of natural resources in developing countries. This is considered to be a global issue since natural resources are constantly being exploited by developed and highly-populated countries, in order to maximize economic growth and scientific and technological development, as well as to satisfy their ever-growing population. The biggest problem is when wealthy and more developed countries take resources from countries that are considered to be developing, making it difficult or even impossible for them to continue to use their own resources. 

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Delegates began with the opening speeches giving their opinion on the subject and their position. The debate maintained switched on and split into two sides, one of them is made by the victim countries in this ongoing exploitation and the other side consist of developed countries, which could be considered as the bullies, that are looking for benefits. “We don’t want change because if we do our economy will be affected now that she depends on the way we are proceeding now,” Said the delegation of  China. ​

Solutions from both sides were given, the positions of each country were given, debated, and questioned. It is important to note that even though a solution hasn’t been established yet, there is hope they will be able to reach one during tomorrow’s debate. 

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