2018 Beijing International Model UN Conference Opens

The 2018 Beijing International Model UN Conference (BIMUN) opened today in Beijing. It is hosted by China Foreign Affairs University (CFAU), co-hosted by Beijing Wu Jianmin Foundation, and jointly directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, the Central Committee of Communist Youth League and the UN Association of China. Over 700 young people from 176 universities and high schools around the world participated in the conference.

Model UN program was first introduced to China by CFAU in 1995. BIMUN has now become one of the most renowned model UN programs in China and the Asia Pacific region. This year the event will adopt the Beijing Rules of Procedure initiated by the CFAU Model United Nations Association. There are 12 committees, which use Chinese, English, French and Spanish as their working languages respectively. It is the first time that Spanish is used as a working language at BIMUN.

The committees set up agendas based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and encourage the young participants to engage in discussions of issues in social, economic and environmental development, as well as to explore how to develop in a sustainable way.

Attending and addressing the opening ceremony were Qin Yaqing, president of CAFU, H. E. Xie Bohua from the International Organization and Conference Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Guo Wenjie, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Youth League of Beijing, Feng Wei, Secretary-General of Beijing Wu Jianmin Foundation, H.E. Ms. Marielza Oliveira, Director and Representative of UNESCO Beijing Office, and Minister Counsellor Asad Beg, Head of Political, Press and Information Section of the European Union Delegation to China. Sun Jisheng, Vice President of CAFU, and representatives from embassies in China and World Wide Fund for Nature also attended the ceremony.

President Qin gave a welcoming speech. He welcomed the student delegates and teachers from China and overseas, and thanked the distinguished guests present and people from all sectors of society who have supported the Model UN activities. With the help of such activities, many students have become more determined in pursuing their dreams in diplomacy and developed their diplomatic capabilities, he said. He expressed hope that the young delegates could exchange ideas on the specific contents of the UN 2030 SDGs, discuss possibilities for a better future, with an open mind, a global perspective and a solid knowledge base. 

In his speech, Ambassador Xie Bohua congratulated the conference and commented the CAFU on hosting the model UN conferences. Ambassador Xie said that the agendas of the 12 committees this year covered the 17 UN SDGs in a comprehensive and innovative way. He said he hoped that the young students would concern themselves with world affairs and develop a global perspective, study their specific field and put the knowledge to use, and contribute to the development of their own nations, especially the development of diplomacy.

Deputy Secretary Guo Wenjie spoke on behalf of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League and the Beijing Youth League. He expressed hopes for the young generation. He said that the students should take the opportunity to build a harmonious world for all humanity, because the well-being and development of mankind requires the contribution of the young generation. The world expects the young students to shoulder the responsibility of the rise and revival of China, and create a bright future with a patriotic passion, he said.

Secretary-General Feng Wei from the Wu Jianmin Foundation also congratulated the BIMUN on its opening on behalf of President Shi Yanhua and Director General Wu Jiansheng of the Foundation. Train and nurture highly qualified diplomats for China has always been the dream and lifetime mission for the late Ambassador Wu Jianmin, recalled Mr. Feng. The foundation is dedicated to producing a new generation of talents who will be engaged in multilateral diplomatic affairs.

Delegations of UN organizations and embassies in China, such as the UN Association of China, UN Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) in China and the representative office of UN Development Programme (UNDP) sent letters and videos of congratulations. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a letter that, “We have an incredible opportunity today. The 17 SDGs are the beautiful blueprints for building a healthy earth together.” He also said that “The potential of the young is the potential of the world. We should protect the mankind’s shared fortune together with the world.”

Secretary-General Qin Qian of the 2018 BIMUN said in his remarks that even though we are in a new age, the problems we face aren’t necessarily new. The agendas of this conference cover all 17 SDGs, from energy mix to environment, from poverty alleviation to peacekeeping, but ultimately the goal is to build a healthier and better world for the future generations through sustainable development. Faced with issues such as insecurity and inequality, young people have a special responsibility for that future. The mindset and actions of young people will help shape a new age, said Mr. Qin.

Guests and delegates then took photos on stage towards the end of the opening ceremony.