United Nations Security Council
Enhancing Maritime Security and UNCLOS Compliance, with Special Emphasis on the South China Sea
Committee Background
Welcome to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) at the tenth anniversary edition of DCMUN. As the primary body responsible for maintaining international peace and security, the UNSC challenges delegates to engage in critical discussions that shape global policy.
This year, we focus on the South China Sea dispute, a conflict with significant global implications. The South China Sea is a vital corridor for international trade, with one-third of global shipping passing through its waters. However, territorial claims by the People's Republic of China, under the nine-dash line, overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several Southeast Asian nations. Despite the frameworks provided by UNCLOS and international rulings, the region remains fraught with tension, fueled by the strategic ambitions of key players.
In addition to traditional security threats, the region is also plagued by non-traditional challenges such as piracy, illegal fishing, and cyber threats, all of which further destabilize the area.
As delegates, you are called upon to address these pressing issues with both foresight and creativity. The UNSC Executive Board encourages you to engage deeply, analyze thoroughly, and collaborate effectively to craft resolutions that uphold the principles of international law while fostering peace, security, and cooperation.
We look forward to witnessing your contributions to this vital discourse and anticipate a series of stimulating, high-impact debates that will define the future course of action in one of the world’s most critical regions.
Saara Lunawat
Chairperson
Deveshwari Singh
Rapporteur
Nirvaan Barjatya
Vice Chairperson
Greetings! Firstly, we would like to welcome you to the United Nations Security Council. It is indeed an honor to serve as your Executive Board for this committee. We hope that with this study guide you gain essential knowledge of the agenda along with an understanding of the flow of the committee. We currently live in a time, where the world runs ablaze with conflicts. From the Crimean Peninsula to the Bab-El-Mandeb Strait, chokepoints across the world stand blocked with turmoil and instability. During this time, the situation in the South China Sea grows more and more precarious, yet receives minimal attention as the world’s eyes are diverted elsewhere. It is undeniable that this diversion of attention from the South China Sea becomes dangerous as dominant states in the region oppress their neighbors, encroaching more sovereign territory and putting the very foundations of a global order in peril. As we convene to deliberate on this critical agenda, we are reminded of the immense responsibility that rests upon our shoulders. The UNSC, as the principal body entrusted with maintaining international peace and security, must rise to the occasion and chart a path towards stability, cooperation, and mutual understanding in this strategically significant and economically vital region. The South China Sea, with its complex geopolitical landscape, stands as a testament to both the opportunities and challenges that define our interconnected world. The maritime disputes, overlapping territorial claims, and the presence of diverse interests have rendered this region a flashpoint for potential conflict and a crucible for international diplomacy. The stakes are exceedingly high, not only for the nations directly bordering these waters but for the entire global community that relies on the freedom of navigation, economic stability, and the very principles of international law.