MUNBU 2025 Opening Speech by Tom Delrue, Head of RCO Türkiye

It is a real honor to address you at the Model United Nations Conference of Bilkent University. Your dedication to understanding and debating some of the most pressing issues of our time reflects a commitment to international cooperation and multilateralism that is both inspiring and essential in today’s world.

As you come together for MUNBU, the United Nations and its member states are also working tirelessly to address the profound challenges we face. Just a few months ago, on September 22, 2024, world leaders gathered for the Summit of the Future to adopt the Pact for the Future and its annexes: the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations. This Pact for the Future reflects the commitment of the international community to forge a better path for humanity and the planet.

Dear friends,

We are living at a crossroads. It sometimes feels like the world is on a rollercoaster.  Rapid advances in technology and science hold the promise of a more peaceful and prosperous future. Yet, we are also grappling with complex challenges and crises: armed conflicts, climate change with serious impact on the environment, an increasing number of natural and man-made disasters, rising inequality, stalled progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and the displacement of millions of people worldwide. The Pact for the Future is a bold response to these realities, offering a roadmap for addressing emerging risks and opportunities while safeguarding the rights of future generations.

Central to this Pact is the recognition that we must rethink how we work together as a global community. Whether it’s through strengthening international cooperation in peace and security, accelerating action on climate change, or ensuring digital inclusion, the Pact commits us to a more equitable, sustainable, and just world. It is a powerful reminder that by coming together, we can achieve transformational change.

This brings me to the remarkable agenda you have prepared for this conference. The topics you have chosen reflect a deep understanding of the interconnected challenges of our time. Allow me to highlight just a few of them.

Firstly, the rights of climate refugees and displaced populations have become a critical issue as the climate emergency drives millions from their homes. Your discussions on protecting these vulnerable groups align directly with the commitments of the Pact for the Future and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in ensuring that no one is left behind.

As you all know, the World Meteorological Organization has confirmed, just a couple days ago, that 2024 stands as the warmest year on record, marking an alarming milestone in our planet's climate trajectory. Over the past decade, from 2015 to 2024, each year has ranked among the ten warmest ever recorded - a striking testament to the accelerating pace of global warming. For the first time, the global mean temperature has likely surpassed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, underscoring the urgency of our climate crisis. With exceptional heat recorded on land, sea surfaces, and in the ocean, the data paints a clear picture: while the Paris Agreement's long-term temperature goals are not yet out of reach, they are in critical jeopardy, demanding immediate and decisive global action. 

I am truly encouraged to see climate change-related agenda items in your committees, as it reflects your dedication to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time with innovative and collaborative solutions.

Secondly, ensuring access to quality education for displaced children is another issue that strikes at the heart of our shared responsibility. Education is not only a fundamental human right but also a powerful tool for rebuilding lives and creating pathways to peace and prosperity.

One of the other agenda items that caught my attention is the critical topic of preventing child exploitation and enhancing protections in post-conflict zones. These discussions underscore the importance of safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society and fostering resilience in communities affected by conflict.

Furthermore, your focus on international cooperation to combat environmental crimes highlights a growing recognition that illicit activities, such as wildlife trafficking, undermine sustainable development and the rule of law. Addressing these crimes requires a united effort and innovative solutions, much like the cooperation envisioned in the Pact for the Future.

And finally, your deliberations on the future of work—including the rise of the gig economy and the advent of Industry 5.0—could not be timelier. As technology reshapes the world of work, it is imperative that we ensure this transformation benefits all, leaving no one behind in the digital age.

These critical issues highlight the interconnected nature of the challenges we face, underscoring the need for a holistic and united approach—one that your generation is uniquely poised to lead

What is most impressive about your agenda items is its breadth and depth, reflecting not only your knowledge but also your commitment to understanding and addressing the complexities of global challenges. This is what makes Model United Nations conferences so unique and vital. They offer a microcosm of multilateralism, a platform for young leaders like yourselves to engage in dialogue, bridge divides, and explore innovative solutions.

The United Nations depends on the energy, ideas, and leadership of young people to build a better future. Your voices are essential in shaping policies that respond to the realities of today and the needs of tomorrow. Through simulations like MUNBU, you are preparing to be the diplomats, activists, scientists, and innovators who will turn visions like the Pact for the Future into reality.

Today, as we gather here to engage in the spirit of diplomacy and collaboration, let us remember that we are not merely simulating the work of the United Nations; we are preparing ourselves to be the changemakers of tomorrow. As the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reminds us, the world is at a crossroads. From conflicts to climate catastrophes, the challenges we face demand not only the solutions of governments and institutions but also the energy, creativity, and courage of young leaders like you. 

You are the architects of the future, and your commitment to global solidarity will shape the outcomes of the defining issues of our time.

The United Nations counts on your voice, your ideas, and your unwavering belief in the power of international cooperation. Together, we can extend a hand to those in need, fight for justice and equality, and tackle the existential threat of climate change. I hope you all leave this conference with renewed determination to be a force for positive change in our communities and beyond. Because, as the Secretary-General said, the United Nations will never give up—and neither should we. 

As you all know, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations. Reflecting on this milestone, UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently addressed the General Assembly, emphasizing the need for hope and action in the face of global challenges. Allow me to quote his inspiring words: "As we look to the year ahead, we must never lose sight of progress and potential. This spirit of hope rooted in action must propel us forward… To make it real. To help it spread. Sticking to principles. Never giving up. In our 80th year, let’s build the more peaceful, just, and prosperous world that we know – despite everything – is within reach."

These words remind us that while the obstacles we face—whether combating climate change, safeguarding the rights of displaced populations, or adapting to the future of work—are complex, they are not beyond our ability to solve. It is through dialogue, collaboration, and unwavering determination that we can transform these challenges into opportunities. Your participation in MUNBU is not just an academic exercise; it is a powerful demonstration of the impact of collective action, innovative ideas, and shared purpose.

As you leave this conference, I encourage you to carry the energy and insights gained here into your lives and communities. The United Nations thrives on the creativity, passion, and courage of young leaders like you. Together, we can confront the pressing issues of our time and create a future that is more peaceful, just, and sustainable for generations to come.

The journey to a better world begins with individuals like you—dreamers, thinkers, and doers who are ready to turn hope into action. So, let us move forward with confidence, guided by the belief that a brighter tomorrow is not just possible but within our reach. Thank you, and I wish you meaningful debates, lasting connections, and great success in all your future endeavors.