Index

Letter from the Secretary-General........................................................................................3

Letter from the chair.............................................................................................................. 4
Letter from the CO- chair.......................................................................................................5
Committee background......................................................................................................... 6
Origin of the problem.............................................................................................................8
Present Relevance................................................................................................................. 8
Current Situation.................................................................................................................. 10
Case Studies.........................................................................................................................12
1. water crisis in haiti........................................................................................................ 12
2. shortage of water within the democratic republic of the congo.................................... 14
Past actions.......................................................................................................................... 15
QARMAS............................................................................................................................... 18
Position Papers.................................................................................................................... 20
Letter from the Secretary-General

Dear Delegates,

Welcome to LNAGMUN 2024! It is a tremendous honor to address you as Secretary General

for this year’s conference.

Each committee in this year’s LNAGMUN has been carefully chosen to address pressing

global challenges that require innovative thinking and collaboration. Whether you are

debating economic stability, social justice, environmental concerns, or international security,

your role in these discussions is essential to finding new perspectives and solutions. The

dedication and passion you bring to these topics contribute to a deeper understanding of the

complexities we face as a global community.

Throughout each session, I encourage you to deliver thoughtful, well-researched speeches.

Ground your arguments in reliable data, realistic strategies, and insights specific to your

country’s position. Aim to examine each facet of the issue thoroughly and propose solutions

that are both practical and impactful.

Remember, MUN is about more than awards; it’s an opportunity to develop your skills,

expand your understanding of the world, and build friendships that can last beyond the

conference. So, dive into the debate, explore new ideas, and make the most of every

moment.

Wishing you a successful and inspiring experience, and I look forward to seeing all of you

bring these debates to life.

Warm regards,

Secretary General

Lucano Llatas & Andrea Maury

Letter from the chair

Dear Delegates:

Welcome to LNAGMUN 2024! My name is Maria Claudia Barrios (macky) and it is a great honor
alongside Fio to be your director in this opportunity.

Entering the Model United Nations aspect, my journey started in the pandemic in 2020, where I had
the opportunity to be part of this school's mun team! After graduating I continued debating with a
team I hold dear in my heart, Peruvian Debate Society (PDS), where I had the opportunity to improve
as a delegate and gain great experiences, such as participating in Harvard WorldMUN 2024.

Outside of the MUN space, I am a law student at the University of Lima and hope to continue learning
more about the field throughout my career. Furthermore, I have always considered myself an activist
for women's rights and someone who looks out for justice in the social and moral realm.

Going into my expectations for the committee, I am looking forward to fruitful speeches and
exchanges of opinions that will move the debate, so argumentation and creativity will be encouraged.
Personally, I would like you to take this space to get out of traditional speeches and try to bring
something new, experiment, take risks and do not be afraid to make a mistake.

Finally, if you have any questions do not hesitate to write me: [email protected]

I will be more than happy to be of help in your research process for this committee, see you soon!

Macky
Letter from the CO- chair

Dear Delegates:

Welcome to LNAGMUN 2024! My name is Fiorella Fulchi, but everyone calls me Fio, and it is an
incredible honor to be your Director alongside Macky in this edition.

Regarding Model United Nations, my journey starts in the pandemic during the first half of 2021,
when I had the opportunity to take an extracurricular course at the University as a glimpse of this
adventure (my final exam was a simulation). Then, in 2023 I decided to take a big leap towards the
Peruvian Debate Society (PDS) team where I finally started debating at the university level; with this
team I had the opportunity to participate in the last edition of PUCPMUN 2023 and travel to the other
side of the world to participate in Harvard WorldMUN 2024 in Taipei - Taiwan.

As for my life outside of MUN, I am an eighth year law student at the Universidad del Pacífico, I am
currently doing a specialization in Corporate Finance and I work in a boutique in the area of corporate
law. I also consider myself an activist of social justice, morality and honesty, but always taking into
consideration realistic logistical effects and procedures.
Now, on a slightly more casual side, I am a lover of 2000's series and movies, I have a (slight)
addiction for coffee and coke zero, I make Excel templates for absolutely EVERYTHING; and, I don't
eat meat.

Going into my expectations for the committee, I expect speeches and exchanges of opinions that will
help promote discussion and cover the salient points of your study guide, probe as much as you can on
the topic and don't be afraid to bring innovative ideas. While I encourage you to bring out of the box
proposals, remember to have objective and realistic arguments, feasibility and interdisciplinary
approach will be valued.

Finally, I will be more than happy to support you in your research process, so I remain attentive to any
questions or comments you may have:[email protected]

I am very excited to be able to meet you and see your continued development in each session, see you
soon!

Fiorella Fulchi.
Committee background

UNEP was established in 1972 following the UN General Assembly Resolution (2997
XXVII) and the UN Conference on the Human Environment, which added the environment
for the first time onto the global agenda and its connection to economic growth and overall
human well-being. UNEP was created to oversee and arrange systemic changes for any
challenges that arise in the environment, the UN General Assembly granted UNEP’s
membership to include all 193 UN member states and the mandate “to set the global
environmental agenda, promote the implementation of the environmental dimension of
sustainable development within the UN system and serve as an authoritative advocate for the
environment.” UNEP’s work serves as the blueprint for humanity to “live more in harmony
with nature and move beyond the unsustainable consumption and production practices that
are pushing the planet to breaking point.”
Present issues the committee is dealing with consists of six “strategic areas as part of its move
to results-based management: climate change, post-conflict and disaster management,
ecosystem management, environmental governance, harmful substances, resource efficiency,
and sustainable consumption and production.” Foundational sub programmes within UNEP
include improving science, policy, finance, and economic transformations, as well as digital
transformations. The UNEP strategy for addressing climate change, biodiversity, pollution,
and waste is illustrated within the Medium-Term Strategy 2022—2025. The Medium-Term
Strategy outlines the list of actions set to transform the world’s consumption and production
affecting climate change.
UNEP operates within the UN Secretariat and is accountable to the UN General Assembly.
UNEP’s headquarters in Nairobi houses its independent governing bodies, including the UN
Environment Assembly, which is the “highest-level decision making entity for global
environmental issues, and the Committee of Permanent Representatives.” These bodies
highlight the need to improve
global environment policies
through working resolutions.
The Assembly endorses
resolutions and ratifies the
UNEP’s Mid-Term Strategy,
while the Committee supervises their execution.
UNEP is managed by an Executive Director and a Senior Management team. It collaborates
closely with the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund Global Environment Facility, and the
Multilateral Fund for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol to assist nations in
obtaining financing and partnerships. UNEP played a central role in establishing the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a UN entity responsible for evaluating climate
change related science, as well as the International Resource Panel and the Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
UNEP works with governments to advocate for stronger regulations and organizations in the
fight against environmental offenses. It strives to enhance access to justice and facilitate
better cooperation among global lawmakers dedicated to protecting the environment. UNEP
depends on partners from major groups and stakeholders for the implementation and
execution of its mission. Specifically drawing upon their “expertise, capacity-building and
outreach capabilities, as well as their regional, national, and local presence.”11 UNEP
believes that collaborative approaches and involvement from all social groups are essential
for policy change and development.

Origin of the problem

Since the beginning of time, clean water has been a necessity for human life. As humans
began to use natural resources to develop cities and the population started to significantly
rise, access to clean water became insufficient to meet demand. Specifically, throughout the
1700s and 1800s, the Industrial Revolution in England led to increased urbanization which
impacted other nations to soon follow. In the 1800s, water shortages first appeared in
historical records due to the need for clean water supplies and sanitation as industrialization
continued to lead to massive changes in production.
The infrastructural challenges, such as overloaded sewage systems and leaky pipes, that arose
from developing municipal water networks in rural areas have played a pivotal role in current
lower access to clean water in comparison to urbanized communities. The UN set Millennium
Development Goals in 2000 “for development progress, including a 2015 target to halve the
number of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water.” Soon after, UN-Water
was founded in 2003 to coordinate a platform specifically for issues of freshwater access and
sanitation. Presently, “UN-Water reports a lack of water quality data for over 3 billion people
around the world.” Understanding the condition of all the planet’s rivers, lakes, and
groundwater reserves is crucial for effectively addressing the global water crisis, as
knowledge empowers action. UN-Water has allowed awareness surrounding our water crisis.
From 1960 to 2005, chronic water shortages increased by nine percent, affecting thirty-five
percent of the global population.
Since 2018, “2.1 billion people still live without safe drinking water in their homes and more
than one billion people still have no choice but to defecate outside.” Life is dependent on
clean water. Billions of people can not function without access to clean water. This scarcity is
not a matter of chance but a result of a collective complex of socio economic, environmental,
and political factors that have perpetuated the lack of sustainable water.

Present Relevance

Access to clean water is an alarming matter that extends beyond global borders. The UN
Under Secretary General and UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, revealed to the
international community that “by
2050, an estimated six billion
people will face water scarcity
due to climate change, pollution
and increasingly unsustainable
consumption and production.”
The populations most at risk of
this warning are women,
Indigenous people, youth,
individuals with disabilities,
migrants and refugees. Our
human mobility patterns around the world are being reshaped by climate change,
environmental degradation, and disasters. Water scarcity will cause these populations’ lives to
be at stake and will start to see a decreasing trend in life expectancy. Production of food and
other necessary resources will be limited. A global depression could arise with the lack of
access to clean and sustainable water.
The air that we breathe is also highly affected by water. Water “connects and supports
terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems through the hydrological cycle.” Freshwater
ecosystems provide vital services for “climate mitigation, holding more carbon than the
atmosphere. They are also invaluable for climate adaptation, acting as a critical buffer against
the impacts of climate change and climate related hazards.” In good news, powerful nations
such as China, Canada, Australia, the United States, and the like are determined to improve
the situation by ratifying the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris
Agreement. Further steps from nations, including Sweden and Norway, have set objectives to
reach net zero emissions of CO2 and greenhouse gases through legal means. The UK, France,
South Korea and Japan are working towards reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by
2050.58 Back in 2020, “China committed to reaching carbon neutrality by 2060” and Fiji and
Chile are awaiting passing legislation to follow suit. These efforts show that countries are
collectively “highlighting the need for strengthening climate services for water.”
According to the Global Change Data Lab, the definition of an improved drinking water
source is “piped water on premises (piped household water connection located inside the
user’s dwelling, plot or yard), and other improved drinking water sources (public taps on
standpipes, tube wells or boreholes, protected dug wells, protected springs, and rainwater
collection).” When we improve water sources and build more accessible water services,
people can spend less time collecting and retrieving water for their families and put their
physical and mental efforts towards other productive initiatives. This can also result in
“greater personal safety and reducing musculoskeletal disorders by reducing the need to make
long or risky journeys to collect and carry water.” The physical conditions when retrieving
water can create a negative impact on children, who are the main group collecting buckets of
water at a time for their families. Improved water sources for children, in particular, will
“result in better health, and therefore better school attendance, with positive longer term
consequences for their lives.” The likeliness of building up pain or developing a disability
from retrieving water can be reduced when access to clean water supplies is established in
communities. Better water sources lead to lower medical costs as people are less exposed to
waterborne diseases which can give people the opportunity “to remain economically
productive.” Students all over the world can focus on their education and work towards
making the world a better place. Water is a global resource, and many rivers and aquifers
cross national borders. This interconnectedness means that the management of water
resources requires international cooperation and diplomatic changes among nations who have
agreed to work towards SDG. Conflicts over shared water resources can strain diplomatic
relations and even lead to international disputes. The global significance of clean water
access not only impacts the health of every individual but also the safety and stability of
nations. Unity is needed to prevent war over clean water. Unity is needed to ensure water, a
basic human right, is adequately accessible for all. We need to build resilience, especially for
individuals who do not hold power and economic wealth, where freshwater sources can be up
to an hour away. Unity is imperative to reduce water scarcity rates in subsequent years.

Current Situation

Clean water is essential for human survival, yet “only 0.5 per cent of water on Earth is usable
and available freshwater.” The current state of the world is behind schedule on the UN
Sustainable Development Goal No. 6 (SDG 6) which is dedicated to ensuring water is
available and managed in a sustainable manner for all. The demand for water has outpaced
population growth, and half the world’s population is already experiencing severe water
scarcity at least one month a year. In 2022, “2.2 billion people still lacked safely managed
drinking water, including 703 million without a basic water service; 3.5 billion people lacked
safely managed sanitation, including 1.5 billion without basic sanitation services; and 2
billion lacked a basic hand washing facility, including 653 million with no hand washing
facility at all.”
Access to water, sanitation, and hygiene are human rights. SDG 6 is a critical issue that
requires attention from the international community. Ensuring clean water for all is not only a
moral imperative but also essential for the progress and prosperity of societies worldwide.
Water is fundamental to life on our planet, but access to this precious resource is increasingly
under threat. Globally, one in four people do not have access to safe drinking water, and
unsafe water is the main cause of over a million deaths each year. This highlights the need for
the prevention of water contamination. Otherwise, the lack of access to clean water can lead
to the spread of potentially fatal waterborne diseases such as cholera, giardiasis, dysentery,
and typhoid. Particularly among vulnerable populations like children and the elderly who
have weaker immune systems, contaminated water is a major health risk. The lack of clean
water and resources to sustain water for all produces social inequalities which continues the
cycle of poverty and limited opportunities. In particular, women and young children have
carried the burden of fetching water, leaving them “more vulnerable to abuse, attack and
ill-health, affecting their ability to study, work and live in dignity.” Therefore, it can be
suggested that improved access to clean water can help promote gender equality.
Additionally, access to clean water is vitally important for economic stability. Various
industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, are dependent on water. It directly impacts
the livelihood of individuals around the world. Clean water is necessary for food production
and livestock. Without access to clean water for irrigation and livestock, crops will suffer,
food shortage rates will rise and malnutrition will escalate. It is a matter of human dignity to
ensure that all individuals have access to safe and affordable clean drinking water. Water
resources are also vital for our ecosystems and crucial to preserving biodiversity. When clean
water sources are scarce, marginalized communities are left to resort to polluting nearby
water bodies, further degrading the environment and causing harm to aquatic ecosystems. As
a result, “surface water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, are undergoing rapid
global changes, with one in five river basins showing high fluctuations in surface water levels
in the past 5 years.” Competition for scarce water resources can lead to conflicts and wars.
This trajectory is encapsulated within the dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. With climate change impacting the rise of global temperatures,
water scarcity is projected to increase by over 18.6%. International cooperation on water
management can help prevent such conflicts. All in all, the dangers of not having access to
clean water are extensive and can lead to ramifications for an individual’s health, nutrition,
education, environmental sustainability, and well-being. Addressing this issue is critical for
improving quality of life, and will likely impact future generations to come. The UNEP
declared “billions of people will lack access to these basic services in 2030 unless progress
quadruples.” The state of the world is in dire need of international intervention on this topic.

Case Studies

1. water crisis in haiti

Despite the population in Latin America and the Caribbean reporting having 90% access to
water resources, “only 43% of Haiti’s rural population had access to basic drinking water
supplies.” Haiti significantly struggles with sanitation issues throughout the country.
Approximately one-third of Haitians “practice open defecation due to limited toilet facilities.”
The absence of a regulated system has given rise to a costly and uncontrolled private market,
hindering the accessibility of safe drinking water for Haitians. When clean water is either too
costly or inaccessible, the residents of Haiti frequently turn to collecting water from rivers
contaminated with garbage to meet their daily requirements, such as cooking and drinking,
for their households. Clean drinking water sources tend to be a 30 minute round trip
collection time. A piped water supply system is accessible to just “15% of the urban
population and over 44% of rural households use unimproved or surface water (i.e., rivers,
streams, etc.) sources.” The demand
for a reliable water supply has
heightened over the past twenty years
as the population of over 11 million
people exceedingly grows. Haiti’s
current sanitation services and scarce
water resources are not conducive to
meeting the pressures of developing
industrialized and tourism sectors in
the country. The drainage
infrastructure is also extremely limited, with only a few major cities, such as Port-Au Prince,
having “partial drainage network segments which are often non-operational due to lack of
maintenance or are blocked by dumped solid waste.” Waste water throughout the nation is
predominantly released “into poorly constructed pits or open channels or directly onto the
streets.” Given the absence of sewage treatments, wastewater ends up in Haiti’s aquatic
ecosystems. Furthermore, earthquakes, tropical storms, and political unrest have destroyed
the clean water in Haiti. Storms and earthquakes cause significant damage to water systems
as the resulting flood waters traverse through polluted areas, leading to the spread of diseases
for extended periods of days or weeks. Additionally, “the violent winds and water surges also
destroy wells and water systems.”
Roads continuously get destroyed by recurring violent storms and hurricanes, “preventing
humanitarian aid from reaching people when they need it most.” Victims impacted by the
natural disasters are then unable to fully recover before another storm hits Haiti. Strong winds
have torn down water filtering startups and initiatives to improve Haiti’s water resources.
Geographically, Haiti faces many challenges contributing to its water crisis. The water
shortage has also been impacted by the ongoing violence, stemming from political unrest and
economic instability among Haitians, to the point where it is not safe to fetch water too far
outside one’s community. People are afraid to get water, not knowing if they may not make it
back home due to gang violence and homicides. According to the Bureau des Avocats
Internationaux and the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti, “intentional homicides
increased by 14 per cent, compared with 944 cases in the same period of 2020, and
kidnappings continued to rise, compared with 234 for all of 2020.” Organizations and
nonprofits responsible for water delivery cannot jeopardize the safety of their employees
amid gun violence and gang activity. The destructive impact of violence affects the essential
elements of Haitians’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being, including education,
mental health, food, water, and jobs. Ineffective management, lack of water policies, and poor
regulation allow Haiti’s water supply and sanitation systems to be tampered with by bacteria.
In order to improve the infrastructure within the rural areas in Haiti requires access to
electricity, yet there are existing technical limitations and distance from communication
routes. The majority of the nations’ existing water infrastructure is “financially supported by
multilateral organizations and bilateral partners,” displaying a heavy reliance on international
donors to provide foreign aid regarding the water crisis. Haiti grappled with the absence of a
comprehensive national water resources management policy. In 2006, a pivotal development
occurred with the enactment of the Framework Decree on Environmental Management and
the Regulation of the Conduct of Citizens for Sustainable Development. This decree led to
the remarkable transfer of the regulatory and managerial responsibilities of water resource
management from the Ministry of Agriculture, which previously lacked management policies
in response to natural water supply, to the Ministry of the Environment.
The transformative Framework Law on the Organization of the Drinking Water and
Sanitation Sector in 2009 was then made. This legislation brought forth the establishment of
the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), forming national
policy and guidelines on drinking water and sanitation, as well as the regulation of the sector.
Sadly, serious hardships have setback progress. Specifically, the massive earthquake that
damaged Haiti in 2010 took many lives, ruined almost all water resources for civilians, and
caused unprecedented emergencies in the recently born DINEPA. Subsequently, the impacts
of Hurricane Thomas and the cholera outbreak “significantly delayed implementation of the
actions envisioned in the first action plans and slowed down the sectoral restructuring.”
In spite of the challenges, DINEPA released its first-ever strategic directives for sanitation in
Haiti in March 2012, signifying a watershed moment in the country’s approach to water
resource management. Since then, Haiti has been re-designated as a High-Priority country by
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID’s investments are
expected to help achieve impactful outcomes, including enhancing access to basic or safely
managed water services for 1,000,000 Haitians and managing sanitation services for 100,000
individuals.
Moreover, the initiative seeks to “strengthen 42 water and sanitation institutions and
mobilize over $1 million dedicated to water and sanitation,” furthering resources for essential
infrastructure and services. This collaborative effort to bring positive transformations in
Haiti’s water and sanitation reflects a shared commitment to improving the well-being of the
people of Haiti.

2. shortage of water within the democratic republic of the congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to the most freshwater-rich countries in
Africa, yet “around 50 million Congolese people lack access to safe drinking water and 80 to
90% of the population lack access to improved sanitation.” Despite holding more than 50%
of Africa’s water reserves, in the DRC there are 33 million people living in rural areas who
lack access to dependable water. Ongoing efforts have resulted in only 52% of the population
having access to an improved water source, and a mere 29% having access to enhanced
sanitation facilities. Multiple factors have contributed to the decline of improved sanitation
and access to water in the DRC, including “natural disasters, outbreaks of diseases such as
Ebola and cholera, and population displacements as the result of armed conflicts.”
Dating back to 1998, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) went into war, known as
Africa’s First World War, due to the invasion of the nation during the Rwandan genocide.
This war led to conflicts of possession over food, minerals, and water.
Following the war, “water became an increasingly sparse resource due to the collapse of the
DRC’s infrastructure during the fighting.” The lack of infrastructure post-war has resulted in
the deaths of many Congolese affected by not only physical violence but also malnutrition
and malaria. These problems have stemmed from the lack of water. The conflicts and wars
within the nation also displaced many people, limiting their access to drinking water.
The competition for available water resources ran rampant. Only 69 percent of the urban
areas of the DRC receive water from the state water utility,leaving 31% of DRC to find water
elsewhere.
In the northwestern district of the DRC, specifically in the town of Ewo, the majority of
residents rely on local streams and ponds for their water supply. Consequently, the
government delivers water to underserved areas using corroded and deteriorating pipes.
Romuald Onanga, a local resident who depends on these streams for water, commented,
“we’ve grown accustomed to drinking spring water because it is natural. It is not often
associated with chemicals.”
However, this natural water is tainted with waste, chemicals, and bacteria. Unfortunately, due
to the lack of alternative water sources, consuming unsafe water is their only choice.
Wealthier individuals in Congo can afford to purchase imported bottled water at around
USD$1, which poses an insurmountable expense for many Congolese, who on average earn
less than USD$2 per day. Consequently, those lacking the financial means are deprived of
access to this source of clean water.
In August of 2021, the Kasai and Tshikapa rivers were heavily polluted with toxic substances
by diamond processing facilities in the neighboring country Angola. Congolese residents still
drank from the polluted waters, causing cases of diarrhea and malnutrition from dead fish.
Malnutrition affects “43% of children between 0 and 5 years of age throughout the country”
due to contaminated water and failure of basic hygiene practices. Climate change has posed a
tremendous threat to over “120 million people across the Congo Basin, who depend on
rain-fed agriculture and basin resources for their livelihoods and socio-economic well-being.”
Water within the Congo Basin has dramatically worsened from deforestation and
uncontrolled mining, altering the natural groundwater with toxins. As of the start of 2022, the
DRC has been classified as a High-Priority country by USAID. USAID is partnering with the
nation in efforts to “provide 2.6 million Congolese with access to basic or improved water
services, 700,000 Congolese with access to basic sanitation services, strengthen 10 national
and subnational water and sanitation institutions and mobilize $50 million in new funding.”

Past actions

The need to dramatically increase political commitment to drinking water internationally is

clear. With resilience and peace building, nations have united to develop strategies to advance
SDG 6 on a global scale. In 2001, Syria and Turkey took the well-needed step of cooperation
by creating a joint communiqué, advocating for “sustainable use of the region’s land and
water resources through joint projects and knowledge exchange. This communiqué acted as a
framework for the Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on water management signed
between Iraq and Turkey and between Syria and Turkey in 2009.” Within the same year,
Syria and Turkey jointly built “a dam on the shared Orontes River, which used to be a bone
of contention between the neighbors. The reactivation of cooperation also became possible
because countries developed complementary objectives.” These initiatives led to the
establishment of the Euphrates-Tigris Initiative for Cooperation (ETIC) in 2005. ETIC
successfully promoted scientific collaboration and cross-border water dialogue. Improving
actionable information has been at the forefront of Turkey’s objectives. Sharing accurate data
on the current state of the global water crisis helps distinguish where to start and where there
is room for improvement. When Turkish authorities gathered and met with NGOs and
stakeholders, “the decision-making process of Turkey’s water legislation became more
inclusive.” Awareness regarding the unsustainability of irrigation projects on the Euphrates
became more apparent, thus Turkey began involving experts “to elaborate water legislation
which played a major role in promoting cooperation amongst the co riparian states.” The
nation’s emerging participation in “the global fora on water has exposed the country to new
information on water use efficiency, pollution protection and cooperation.” The first
international agreement, the Protocol on Water and Health established in 1999, was adopted
“specifically to attain an adequate supply of safe drinking water and adequate sanitation for
everyone, and effectively protect water used as a source of drinking water.” The protocol has
called countries in action to establish a baseline on equitable access while also explaining
“the added value of risk based management tools, with particular reference to the field guide
that supports rural communities in improving small-scale drinking-water supplies through
water safety planning.” This protocol was a step towards cooperation on water management
and universal access to safe water. Efforts regarding the global sanitation target yet have been
unfulfilled in many countries. Additional past actions from UNICEF have been made to
rehabilitate water treatment infrastructure. One project in particular was the Lologo water
treatment plant located in the capital city of Juba to draw and purify water from the Nile
River throughout the city, providing access for displaced individuals in camps. The pipeline
effectively supplied “4.6 million liters of water per day, clean drinking water to over 100,000
people, and pumps water to three large reservoirs which house up to 300,000 liters each” in
South Sudan. This infrastructure has helped internally displaced throughout South Sudan who
have been directly affected by the historical conflicts and violence. UNICEF also “helped
drill boreholes at 87 schools” in 2021, allowing safe access to clean water for over 43,500
children.

Between 2018 and 2021, UNICEF built “latrines and solar-driven water supply systems in 63
schools and 17 health centers, rehabilitated 225 drinking water points, and constructed 60
new points.” These new and improved resources granted clean water and sanitation to more
than 138,000 children. Specifically in Iraq, UNICEF has “designed and constructed a modern
filter system at the Al-Qa’qa’ water treatment plant.” This water filter system provides access
water and basic sanitation for almost 8 out of 10 Venezuelans. A bottle of water costs on
average US$3 while the monthly minimum wage is around US$8. Clean drinking water
remains financially inaccessible for many.
QARMAS

➢ What measures can UNEP take as a UN agency to implement water services in

nations facing threats of violence and war?
➢ What measures can UNEP do to establish clean drinking water resources in nations
that have not ratified any treaties regarding the matter?
➢ How can excluded islands and small countries be more involved in water data
collection?
➢ Can UNEP or developed countries annually dedicate filtering systems and materials
to underdeveloped countries as aid?
➢ How can the international community address the cost of water being a barrier for
individuals living in poverty?
➢ Will your delegation take on any new responsibilities given the current threats posed
by climate change and economic debts?
Position Papers
A Position Paper is a policy statement document in which delegates analyze and present their
country’s view on the issue being discussed, also focusing on past national and international
actions in order to propose innovative and viable solutions. It must include a heading with the
title "Position Paper", your country's formal name, your committee's full name, the topic
being discussed (as stated in your background guide), your personal name and the name of
your delegation. Also, your paper should be divided into three sections, each in a separate
paragraph, as follows:
● Your first paragraph should include a brief introduction to the topic, always connecting it to
your country. Try to include data, catchy phrases and statistics that may apply. Remember to
explain your country's situation and policy (past efforts it carried out to address the matter, as
well as current ones). Always take into consideration that you should be focusing on
answering the question, "Why is the issue relevant to my country?".This section should not
be a re-statement of your background guide. Instead, it should elaborate on the issue as your
country sees it.
● Your second paragraph should include a brief summary of past UN actions (documents,
programs, protocols, campaigns, among others) related to the issue being discussed, always
expressing the opinion of your country in relation to the measures you are mentioning. Try to
focus on which specific actions have had an impact on your country, as well as the ones that
failed, and explain how you believe that these measures can be expanded or improved in
order for them to work properly again in an international manner.
● Your third paragraph should focus on proposing solutions that your nation would like the
UN to consider, always respecting your country's policy and considering the QARMAs at
hand. Be creative and propose original and viable ideas that will help other delegates and
your dais to remember your contribution to the debate. These must differentiate from the
initiatives that already exist, or improve those that have failed in the past instead. Lastly, do
not forget to write a strong closing sentence.
The format must be as follows:
● Paper size: Letter
● Font name: Times New Roman
● Font size: 12
● Spacing between lines: 1.5
● Maximum of pages: 1 (you may use an additional page for sources)

Please, make sure to cite every source that you use in your Position Paper, if not, it will be
considered plagiarism. Each delegation must submit a Position Paper to by Friday November
22, 11:59 PM to the committee email: [email protected] . All delegates who do not
submit a Position Paper by the indicated date will not be eligible for awards.
Bibliography:
www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking water
www.unep.org/who-we-are/about-us/frequently-asked-questions#:~:text=When%20was%20
UNEP%20 founded%3F,the%20world%27s%20greatest%20environmental%20challenges
ourworldindata.org/water-access
www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/
www.un.org/ sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/
www.unwater.org/water-facts/water-and-gender
www.unwater.org/water-facts/water-and-disasters