Hankuk University of Foreign Studies to Hold Model UN Assembly on "Cooperation for Sustainable Development" Agenda

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies announced that the Model United Nations (HIMUN), in collaboration with the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) and the Seoul AI Foundation (SAIF), will hold the 49th Model UN General Assembly on August 23 at the Tex+Fa Hall in the Textile Center, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The agenda will focus on "Exploring the Use of Science and Technology and Multilateral Cooperation to Accelerate the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)." This assembly is open to the public free of charge, and on-site attendance is available.

Founded in 1958 with its inaugural session on "UN Disarmament," HIMUN is the first Model United Nations in Korea and an academic event in foreign languages. With a 67-year tradition, it is the oldest cross-university foreign language academic organization in the country. Upholding the UN’s core values of "freedom, equality, and fraternity for international peace and the safety of humanity," HIMUN continues to hold annual public assemblies. Supported by embassies, government agencies, corporations, and civic groups, it has established itself as a platform where young people can freely discuss major international issues.

HIMUN is the only organization in Korea to adopt and operate under the UN4MUN rules of procedure, which mirror the actual conduct of the UN General Assembly. During this 49th session, speeches by country representatives will be interpreted in real time into the UN’s six official languages (English, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic) as well as Korean. Approximately 300 attendees can participate on-site, and all visitors will be provided with an interpretation system.

The participating countries are the United States, South Korea, China, Japan, France, Brazil, Kenya, Syria, and Vietnam, totaling nine nations. The assembly will be divided into two groups: ▲ Group A (South Korea, France, United States, Japan, China), which will lead the acceleration of SDG achievement through the active use of science and technology and possess strong capabilities for technology sharing; and ▲ Group B (Brazil, Kenya, Syria, Vietnam), which has limited scientific and technological capacity and seeks both technology exchange and capacity building. Representatives from each country will negotiate and debate, focusing on technical and structural constraints and the progress toward achieving the SDGs, and will work to produce a resolution.

The agenda for this assembly has been academically enriched through consultation with the Science and Technology Policy Institute, Seoul AI Foundation, Professor Jung Heonju from the Department of Public Administration at Yonsei University, Professor Choi Wonkeun from the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, and Professor Yang Yoonjung from the Graduate School of International and Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.

This agenda, which combines sustainable development goals with science and technology, is highly timely and impactful, and is expected to serve as a meaningful academic forum for students interested in international organizations, global governance, and international relations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.